Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study and review of literature

doi:10.16150/j.1671-2870.2017.03.016

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological feature of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Methods: A total of 12 cases of ALCL were enrolled and the clinicohistopathological characteristics, results of immunophenotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were analyzed. The relevant literatures were reviewed. Results: Patients were 6 males, 6 females, aged from 22 to 81 years, with an average of 47 years. B symptoms occurred in 9 cases. Extranodal lesions or also with lymph node lesions simultaneously were involved in 5 cases. Microscopically, ALCL was composed of pleomorphic large tumor cells predominantly, horseshoe-shaped nuclei cells were found in all cases, and adhesive growth pattern was seen in some cases. Small cell variant was seen in 1 case, and sarcomatoid features in 2 cases; 4 cases were positive for ALK, while 8 were negative for ALK. Positive staining for CD30 was seen in all the 12 cases, while positive for CD2 in 7 cases, CD3 in 5 cases, CD5 in 3 cases, CD7 in 2 cases, both positive for CD4/CD8 in 2 cases. In addition, cytotoxicity was found in various degree in 5 cases. Separating signal was found by FISH in all the 4 cases which were positive for ALK by immunohistochemical staining. Conclusions: ALCL patients usually present with B symptoms and tend to be involved in extranodal sites. Microscopic pathology reveals pleomorphic feature and often lacking some T lymphocyte-associated antigens. Combined detection of T cell markers is important for diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Key words: Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Immunohistochemistry, Diagnosis, Differential diagnosis

CLC Number:

R733.1

YI Lin, XIAO Li, CHEN Yan, YIN Yulei. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study and review of literature[J]. Journal of Diagnostics Concepts & Practice, 2017, 16(03): 313-319.

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