Primary histiocytic sarcoma of the central nervous system

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Journal

Cancer Research and Treatment

Volume

47

Issue

2

DOI

10.4143/crt.2013.163

Keywords

Central nervous system; Cytarabine; Histiocytic sarcoma; Methotrexate

Abstract

© 2015 by the Korean Cancer Association. Histiocytic sarcoma is a type of lymphoma that rarely involves the central nervous system (CNS). Its rarity can easily lead to a misdiagnosis. We describe a patient with primary CNS histocytic sarcoma involving the cerebral hemisphere and spinal cord, who had been initially misdiagnosed as demyelinating disease. Two biopsies were necessary before a correct diagnosis was made. A histologic examination showed bizarre shaped histiocytes with larger nuclei and nuclear atypia. The cells were positive for CD68, CD163, and S-100 protein. As a resection was not feasible due to multifocality, he was treated with highdose methotrexate, but showed no response. As a result, he was switched to high dose cytarabine; but again, showed no response. The patient died 2 months from the start of chemotherapy and 8 months from the onset of symptoms. Since few patients with this condition have been described and histopathology is difficult to diagnose, suspicion of the disease is essential.

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