Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the stomach in a young male: A rare case report and literature review

Rationale:Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is an exceptionally rare mesenchymal tumor, with gastric involvement being scarcely reported (only 7 prior cases). This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and underscores the importance of multimodal imaging in identifying this malignancy, particularly in extra-nodal sites like the stomach.Patient concerns:A 25-year-old male presented with acute abdominal pain and a palpable mid-abdominal mass. He denied weight loss, fever, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Laboratory tests revealed elevated squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen (3.6 ng/mL).Diagnoses:Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a 68 x 47 x 91 mm soft tissue mass in the gastric antrum, vascularized by the left gastric artery. Positron emission tomography/CT demonstrated intense FDG uptake (SUVmax 25.48). Magnetic resonance images showed a T1-isointense, T2-hypointense mass with diffusion restriction (diffusion weighted imaging hyperintensity, low ADC) and moderate arterial enhancement. Endoscopy identified a submucosal gastric lesion. Histopathology confirmed FDCS via spindle/epithelioid cells, neutrophils, and immunohistochemistry (CD23/CD35/CD31+, S100/CK-).Interventions:The patient underwent distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. Intraoperatively, the tumor was resected with clear margins, preserving gastric function. No lymph node metastasis was observed.Outcomes:Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Pathology confirmed a 9 cm FDCS without necrosis or calcifications. Immunohistochemistry validated the diagnosis. No adjuvant therapy was administered, and the patient remained recurrence-free during follow-up.Lessons:Gastric FDCS is easily misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) or Castleman disease due to overlapping imaging features. Multimodal imaging (CT, MRI, positron emission tomography/CT) combined with histopathology is critical for accurate diagnosis. Radical surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment, emphasizing the need for wide resection to minimize recurrence. This case provides the first comprehensive imaging characterization of gastric FDCS, enhancing awareness and diagnostic precision for this rare entity.