Background:

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a rare pathology, it occurs mainly in nodal sites such as head, neck, oropharynx, although extranodal presentation such as spleen and liver may occur. In most cases it is asymptomatic but may present general symptoms, abdominal pain or fever. Immunohistochemistry is essential to make a definitive diagnosis.

Case presentation:

Forty year-old woman, with submaxillary lesion, in the neck, right fronto-parieto-occipital region with dry oral mucosa. It was initially managed as a Sjögren's syndrome ruled out by the histopathological result of salivary gland biopsy. Subsequently, a neck ganglion biopsy was performed that reported follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, with positive immunohistochemical expression for CD23 and negative for CD21 and LCA. It was managed with samarium with a survival of 3 months from the time of its diagnosis.

Conclusions:

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is rare and its global survival is short.