title: Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic analysis.
abstract: The clinicopathologic features of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) are reviewed. ALCL is a heterogeneous group of tumours, and histologic examination alone is not adequate in providing useful prognostic information. However, using a combination of clinical, phenotypic, and genotypic features, several distinct clinicopathologic entities have been identified. A subset of ALCL as presently defined is characterized by a balanced translocation, t(2;5)(p23;q35), resulting in a novel fusion protein (NPM-ALK) that can be readily detected by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies against the ALK protein. Detection of ALK protein, along with other methods for demonstrating the t(2;5), has assisted in identifying a distinct biologic entity within the heterogeneous group of ALCL with significant prognostic implications. It is important to separate these from cases of ALK-negative ALCL, which have a poorer prognosis, and cases of primary cutaneous ALCL, which have an excellent prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Skinnider
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Connors
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Sutcliffe
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Gascoyne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002889:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002895:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014178:Translocation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D004317:Doxorubicin; C107023:p80(NPM-ALK) protein; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases