National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Dendritic cell tumor


Other Names:
Dendritic cell neoplasm
Categories:
A dendritic cell tumor develops from the cells of the immune system.  This condition typically begins in the lymph system and may spread to nearby organs or distant parts of the body (metastasize).  There are five subtypes of dendritic cell tumors: follicular dendritic cell tumor, interdigitating dendritic cell tumor, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, Langerhans' cell sarcoma, and dendritic cell sarcoma not specified otherwise.  The symptoms and severity of the condition depend on the subtype and location of the tumor.  Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.[1]
Last updated: 10/23/2014
The prognosis of a dendritic cell tumor depends on the subtype and location of the tumor.  Because this is a rare condition, little is known about the natural course or most effective treatment.  As such, it is difficult to estimate how quickly or aggressively the condition might progress in each affected individual.  In general, prognosis is less favorable when the tumor has spread to multiple parts of the body (metastasized).[1]  Dendritic cell tumors are a type of cancer and can be fatal.


Last updated: 10/23/2014

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Organizations Supporting this Disease

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Financial Resources

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.

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  • My father has been diagnosed with dendritic cell tumors. Can you estimate the period of time that it may take to metastasize into full blown cancer? Is this a fatal cancer? See answer


  1. Kairouz S, Hashash J, Kabbara W, McHayleh W, Tabbara IA. Dendritic cell neoplasms: an overview. American Journal of Hematology. 2007; 82(10):924-928. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17636477. Accessed 10/23/2014.