ALK+ large B-cell lymphoma is a type of lymphoma. [1] [2]: 378 It was first reported in 1997. [2]: 378 [3] [4] It is a rare, aggressive large B-cell process that shows ALK expression. [2]: 378 [3] [5] It is distinct from anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a T-cell lymphoma. [2]: 564 [3] [6]
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Upregulation of ALK is mainly due to chromosomal translocation t(2;17), resulting in a fusion gene of CLTC with ALK, [4] [7] but can rarely be due to t(2;5), fusing NPM1 with ALK; [2]: 378 the later is the usual finding in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). [4] [7] The t(2;17) translocation occurs in less than 1% of cases of ALK+ ALCL, but has been identified in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors. [3]
There is no association with Epstein–Barr virus [2]: 378 [6] or HHV8, [6] or immunosuppression. [2]: 378 The cells are CD20 and CD30 negative, [8]: 306 showing weak focal expression in 3% and 6% respectively. [2]: 378 They are EMA and CD138 positive, [8]: 306 showing 100% expression respectively. [2]: 378
The median age of diagnosis is approximately late thirties to early forties. [2]: 378 [3] [5] The estimates of childhood disease vary (8%, [9] 15%, [3] 30% [2]: 378 ) but it can be seen at any age. [5] [8]: 306
The disease usually arises in lymph nodes, particularly the neck, but extranodal involvement, including in the gastrointestinal tract, nasal cavity, ovary and brain, has been described. [3] [5] Morphologically, there are large immunoblast-like cells with large central nucleoli, often cellular clusters, with a predilection for the lymph node sinuses [2]: 378 [4] [8]: 306 in a cohesive pattern that can suggest carcinoma cells. [2]: 378 [8]: 306
Multiagent chemotherapy is given, and can result in long-term success, particularly in childhood [8]: 306 but prognosis is generally poor, [2]: 378 [3] [5] [9] [7] particularly in higher stage disease. [9]
ALK+ large B-cell lymphoma is a type of lymphoma. [1] [2]: 378 It was first reported in 1997. [2]: 378 [3] [4] It is a rare, aggressive large B-cell process that shows ALK expression. [2]: 378 [3] [5] It is distinct from anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a T-cell lymphoma. [2]: 564 [3] [6]
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it. (November 2021) |
Upregulation of ALK is mainly due to chromosomal translocation t(2;17), resulting in a fusion gene of CLTC with ALK, [4] [7] but can rarely be due to t(2;5), fusing NPM1 with ALK; [2]: 378 the later is the usual finding in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). [4] [7] The t(2;17) translocation occurs in less than 1% of cases of ALK+ ALCL, but has been identified in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors. [3]
There is no association with Epstein–Barr virus [2]: 378 [6] or HHV8, [6] or immunosuppression. [2]: 378 The cells are CD20 and CD30 negative, [8]: 306 showing weak focal expression in 3% and 6% respectively. [2]: 378 They are EMA and CD138 positive, [8]: 306 showing 100% expression respectively. [2]: 378
The median age of diagnosis is approximately late thirties to early forties. [2]: 378 [3] [5] The estimates of childhood disease vary (8%, [9] 15%, [3] 30% [2]: 378 ) but it can be seen at any age. [5] [8]: 306
The disease usually arises in lymph nodes, particularly the neck, but extranodal involvement, including in the gastrointestinal tract, nasal cavity, ovary and brain, has been described. [3] [5] Morphologically, there are large immunoblast-like cells with large central nucleoli, often cellular clusters, with a predilection for the lymph node sinuses [2]: 378 [4] [8]: 306 in a cohesive pattern that can suggest carcinoma cells. [2]: 378 [8]: 306
Multiagent chemotherapy is given, and can result in long-term success, particularly in childhood [8]: 306 but prognosis is generally poor, [2]: 378 [3] [5] [9] [7] particularly in higher stage disease. [9]