title: ALK-positive anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma preceded by Epstein-Barr virus infection complicated by development of an aorto-esophageal fistula.
abstract: We report an unusual case of aggressive ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with widespread mediastinal involvement immediately preceded by an acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Following initiation of chemotherapy and radiological evidence of significant tumor regression, the patient suffered a fatal massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from an aorto-esophageal fistula. The relevant literature relating to EBV in the pathogenesis of ALK-lymphomas and literature relating to aorto-enteric fistula (AEF) in mediastinal lymphoma is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Alta, Canada.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bagshaw
authors.forename: Trudy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crabtree
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases