Aberrant expression of beta-HCG in anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
We report a case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) showing aberrant expression of beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-HCG). The patient was a 14-year-old boy who presented with a right inguinal mass and a raised serum beta-HCG level. Biopsy of the mass revealed a malignant neoplasm composed of large, pleomorphic cells with prominent nucleoli. These malignant cells showed positive staining with CD30, ALK, epithelial membrane antigen, and beta-HCG. Chromosomal analysis showed t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation, and polymerase chain reaction demonstrated T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. The patient did not respond well to chemotherapy, and he died 8 months after the diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the 1st case of ALCL showing aberrant expression of beta-HCG and associated with a raised serum level of beta-HCG. We report this case to bring awareness of this presumably rare occurrence to avoid the risk of misdiagnosis.
Leong
May Ying
MY
Department of Histopathology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Marlborough Street, Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom.
English
Martin
M
McMullan
Dominic
D
Ramani
Pramila
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D017728:Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human