title: Nodular spindle-cell vascular transformation of lymph nodes. A benign process occurring predominantly in retroperitoneal lymph nodes draining carcinomas that can simulate Kaposi's sarcoma or metastatic tumor.
abstract: We describe a vasoproliferative nodular spindle-cell lesion representing a variant of vascular transformation of lymph-node sinuses and designated a nodular spindle-cell vascular transformation of lymph nodes. The lesion is most frequently identified in retroperitoneal lymph nodes excised in association with radical nephrectomies for renal cell carcinoma, but it can also be present in association with other malignant tumors. Occasionally it is seen in superficial lymph nodes in patients with no history of malignant neoplasms. This lesion can be confused with Kaposi's sarcoma or with a metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma because of its spindle-cell composition, cellularity, occasional high mitotic activity, and frequent occurrence in the regional lymphatic drainage of a known malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Czerniak
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Ordóñez
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000473:pathology*