Brain metastasis of ALK positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma after a long-term disease free survival in an old adult.
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma composed of CD30-positive cells and now recognized as three different entities: primary cutaneous ALCL, primary systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive (ALK+) ALCL and primary ALK-negative (ALK-) ALCL. ALK+ ALCL is supposed to have a better prognosis than ALK- ALCL. It is rarely metastasized to other sites, especially to the central nervous system (CNS). Herein, we present a rare case of systemic ALK+ ALCL which metastasized to the brain after a long-term disease free survival in an adult. Neuroimaging revealed a well-enhanced mass in the left frontal lobe. And it was completely resected. The results of the pathological and immunohistochemical studies were consistent with the metastasized ALK+ ALCL. The clinical findings, pathologic characteristics and treatment are described.
Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Cai-Xia
CX
Wang
Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Hai
H
Wang
Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Jie
J
Li
Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Heng-Hui
HH
Ma
Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Bo
B
Yu
Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Shan-Shan
SS
Shi
Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Xiao-Jun
XJ
Zhou
Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Qun-Li
QL
Shi
D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D017728:Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*
C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
ALCL; ALK-positive; CNS; metastasis