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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Quantification of Tumor Cell Adhesion in Lymph Node Cryosections
Published on: February 9, 2020
Interdigitating reticulum cell tumor of lymph node: a case report and literature review
1Department of Pathology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, Republic of China. d5686@hpd.cmch.org.tw
Insights
Interdigitating reticulum cell (IRC) tumor is a rare cancer. This case highlights its varied presentation, including lymphadenopathy and bone lesions, emphasizing diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Interdigitating reticulum cell (IRC) tumors are rare neoplasms originating from antigen-presenting cells.
- Understanding their diverse clinical and pathological presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 41-year-old male presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and bone pain.
- Imaging revealed extensive lymph node and bone involvement.
- Histopathology showed atypical large cells resembling lymphoma.
Findings:
- Immunophenotypic and ultrastructural analyses confirmed the tumor's origin from interdigitating reticulum cells.
- The neoplastic cells exhibited unusual morphology, distinct from typical lymphomas.
- This case underscores the heterogeneity of IRC tumors.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of IRC tumors requires a combination of histological, immunophenotypic, and ultrastructural studies.
- Recognizing the variable features of IRC tumors is essential to differentiate them from other dendritic cell neoplasms.
- Further research into IRC tumor biology may improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Interdigitating reticulum cell (IRC) tumor is a rare tumor arising from the antigen-presenting cell - interdigitating reticulum cell. A 41-year-old male presented with lumps in the left neck and bone pain. Further investigations revealed multiple left neck and para-aortic lymphadenopathy, and multiple bony lesions. Histological examination of the lymph node showed proliferation of unusual, large, round neoplastic cells mimicking large cell lymphoma. Immunophenotypic and ultrastructural studies confirmed this tumor to be arising from an interdigitating reticulum cell. A review of reported IRC tumors illustrates the variability of this tumor in clinical and pathological features, which differ from other dendritic reticulum cell tumors.
