CD30-positive, anaplastic large-cell lymphomas that express CD15 but lack CD45. A possible diagnostic pitfall.
We report the immunohistochemical and clinical features of two cases of morphologically typical anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. One patient had lymph node and focal visceral involvement, and the other patient had multiple-organ involvement by lymphoma. In both cases, the lymphoma cells were CD30 (Ber-H2) and CD15 (Leu-M1) positive and CD45 (common leukocyte antigen) negative--a phenotype that is commonly seen in Hodgkin's disease. This unusual phenotype in large-cell anaplastic lymphoma led to an initial misinterpretation in one of the cases. Large-cell anaplastic lymphomas are highly variable, both in immunophenotype and clinical presentation. Because of this variability, a broad immunophenotypic panel, in conjunction with morphological features, should be used to establish the correct diagnosis.
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor 48109-0602.
P L
PL
Perkins
C W
CW
Ross
B
B
Schnitzer
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens