Anaplastic lymphoma of the cervical esophagus presenting as a tracheoesophageal fistula.
BACKGROUND
Anaplastic kinase-1 positive lymphoma (ALK-1) is a very rare but distinct pathologic entity. ALK-1 lymphoma tends to affect the bone marrow, skin, lungs, soft tissue, but very rarely the gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
We report a case of ALK-1 positive lymphoma presenting as a tracheoesophageal fistula. The clinical presentation, histopathology, and management outcome are all discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
ALK-1 positive lymphoma of the upper aerodigestive involvement is extremely rare. An unusual presentation such as pharyngeal pouch with vocal cord palsy should suggest pathology. Histopathologic analysis can be difficult and immunohistochemical studies will aid are of paramount importance in the diagnosis and help in subsequent management and also act as prognostic indicators.
Joshi
Anil
A
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Fields
Paul
P
Simo
Ricard
R
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017728:Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010784:Photomicrography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome