ALK-positive neutrophil-rich variant of anaplastic large cell lymphoma diagnosed after head trauma.
BACKGROUND
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) expression has not been described in neutrophil-rich anaplastic large cell lymphoma (NR-ALCL).


METHODS
A 12-year old female with a 4-weeks history of a non-resolving bump over the forehead resulting from injury, was diagnosed of stage IE cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and radiation was employed. Shortly after completion of therapy, there was progress of the disease on the soft tissue of the right hand, and bone marrow involvement was also found. A fine-needle aspiration of the hand mass was performed, and a diagnosis of CD30+/ALK+ NR-ALCL, was rendered.


METHODS
We studied the morphological characteristics of CD30+/ALK+ NR-ALCL using histological methods. A panel of antibodies were used to establish diagnosis and subtyping. In addition EBV status and molecular cytogenetics were determined.


CONCLUSIONS
ALK-ALCL arising in the skin represents a single disease with a broad spectrum of morphology; clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this neutrophil-rich (NR) variant with aggressive clinical presentation.
Tamiolakis
Demetrio
D
Department of Cytology, General Hospital of Chania, Crete, Greece.
Papadopoulos
Nikolaos
N
Venizelos
John
J
Kakagia
Despoina
D
Nikolaidou
Sylvia
S
Bolioti
Sophia
S
Kouskoukis
Constantinos
C
D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000097:blood*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*
C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases