Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma presenting in the submandibular region of an 11-year-old

Abstract 

Follicular dendritic cell sarcomas are rare malignancies of antigen-presenting cells. Likely under-diagnosed, these sarcomas arise from the dendritic reticulum cells of lymph nodes. Extranodal presentations are rare, with fewer than 70 reported head and neck cases, most commonly involving the tonsils. We present a case of FDCS involving the submandibular region in an 11-year-old. To our knowledge, this is the third reported head and neck case in a patient under the age of 16. We review the differential diagnosis of this rare sarcoma and highlight key features differentiating FDCS from other poorly differentiated neoplasms to enable prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Keywords: Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, Dendritic reticulum cells, Antigen-presenting cells, Submandibular, Pediatric