Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: Difference between revisions

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== Anaplastic_large-cell_lymphoma ==
{{SI}}<br>
<gallery>
{{Infobox medical condition
File:Anaplastic_large_cell_lymphoma_-_cropped_-_very_high_mag.jpg|Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma under very high magnification
| name    = Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
File:Anaplastic_Large_Cell_Lymphoma_CD30.jpg|Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma CD30 positive
| image    = [[File:Anaplastic_large_cell_lymphoma_-_cropped_-_very_high_mag.jpg|alt=Micrograph of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma]]
</gallery>
| image_size  = 250px
== Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma ==
| alt    = Micrograph of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
 
| caption  = Micrograph of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
| field    = [[Hematology]]
| symptoms    = [[Lymphadenopathy]], [[fever]], [[weight loss]], [[night sweats]]
| complications = [[Immunodeficiency]], [[infection]]
| onset    = Variable
| duration    = Chronic
| types    = [[Primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma]], [[Systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma]]
| causes    = Unknown, possible genetic mutations
| risks    = [[Genetic predisposition]], [[immunosuppression]]
| diagnosis  = [[Biopsy]], [[immunohistochemistry]]
| differential  = [[Hodgkin lymphoma]], [[Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]], [[Lymphoblastic lymphoma]]
| prevention  = None
| treatment  = [[Chemotherapy]], [[radiation therapy]], [[stem cell transplant]]
| medication  = [[Brentuximab vedotin]], [[CHOP chemotherapy]]
| prognosis  = Variable, depends on subtype and stage
| frequency  = Rare
}}
'''Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma''' (ALCL) is a type of [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]] that is characterized by the presence of large, atypical lymphoid cells. It is a rare form of lymphoma that can occur in both children and adults. ALCL is classified as a T-cell lymphoma, meaning it originates from [[T lymphocytes]], a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system.
'''Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma''' (ALCL) is a type of [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]] that is characterized by the presence of large, atypical lymphoid cells. It is a rare form of lymphoma that can occur in both children and adults. ALCL is classified as a T-cell lymphoma, meaning it originates from [[T lymphocytes]], a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system.
=== Classification ===
=== Classification ===
ALCL is divided into two main types based on the presence or absence of a specific genetic abnormality involving the [[anaplastic lymphoma kinase]] (ALK) gene:
ALCL is divided into two main types based on the presence or absence of a specific genetic abnormality involving the [[anaplastic lymphoma kinase]] (ALK) gene:
* '''ALK-positive ALCL''': This type is more common in children and young adults. It is characterized by the presence of a translocation involving the ALK gene, which leads to the expression of an abnormal ALK protein that promotes cell growth and survival.
* '''ALK-positive ALCL''': This type is more common in children and young adults. It is characterized by the presence of a translocation involving the ALK gene, which leads to the expression of an abnormal ALK protein that promotes cell growth and survival.
* '''ALK-negative ALCL''': This type is more common in older adults and does not have the ALK gene rearrangement. It tends to have a more aggressive clinical course compared to ALK-positive ALCL.
* '''ALK-negative ALCL''': This type is more common in older adults and does not have the ALK gene rearrangement. It tends to have a more aggressive clinical course compared to ALK-positive ALCL.
=== Clinical Presentation ===
=== Clinical Presentation ===
Patients with ALCL may present with a variety of symptoms, including:
Patients with ALCL may present with a variety of symptoms, including:
* [[Lymphadenopathy]]: Swelling of the lymph nodes, which may be painless.
* [[Lymphadenopathy]]: Swelling of the lymph nodes, which may be painless.
* [[B symptoms]]: Fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
* [[B symptoms]]: Fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
* Extranodal involvement: ALCL can affect organs outside the lymphatic system, such as the skin, liver, lungs, and bones.
* Extranodal involvement: ALCL can affect organs outside the lymphatic system, such as the skin, liver, lungs, and bones.
=== Diagnosis ===
=== Diagnosis ===
The diagnosis of ALCL is made through a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and [[biopsy]] of affected tissue. Histological examination reveals large, pleomorphic cells with abundant cytoplasm and horseshoe-shaped nuclei. Immunohistochemistry is used to detect the expression of CD30, a marker that is typically positive in ALCL cells.
The diagnosis of ALCL is made through a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and [[biopsy]] of affected tissue. Histological examination reveals large, pleomorphic cells with abundant cytoplasm and horseshoe-shaped nuclei. Immunohistochemistry is used to detect the expression of CD30, a marker that is typically positive in ALCL cells.
=== Treatment ===
=== Treatment ===
The treatment of ALCL depends on the subtype and stage of the disease. Common treatment options include:
The treatment of ALCL depends on the subtype and stage of the disease. Common treatment options include:
* [[Chemotherapy]]: Regimens such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) are commonly used.
* [[Chemotherapy]]: Regimens such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) are commonly used.
* Targeted therapy: For ALK-positive ALCL, ALK inhibitors such as crizotinib may be used.
* Targeted therapy: For ALK-positive ALCL, ALK inhibitors such as crizotinib may be used.
* [[Radiation therapy]]: May be used in certain cases, especially for localized disease.
* [[Radiation therapy]]: May be used in certain cases, especially for localized disease.
* [[Stem cell transplantation]]: Considered in cases of relapsed or refractory ALCL.
* [[Stem cell transplantation]]: Considered in cases of relapsed or refractory ALCL.
=== Prognosis ===
=== Prognosis ===
The prognosis of ALCL varies depending on the subtype and other factors such as age and overall health. ALK-positive ALCL generally has a better prognosis compared to ALK-negative ALCL. Long-term survival rates are higher in children and young adults compared to older patients.
The prognosis of ALCL varies depending on the subtype and other factors such as age and overall health. ALK-positive ALCL generally has a better prognosis compared to ALK-negative ALCL. Long-term survival rates are higher in children and young adults compared to older patients.
== Related Pages ==
== Related Pages ==
* [[Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]]
* [[Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]]
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* [[Lymphadenopathy]]
* [[Lymphadenopathy]]
* [[Chemotherapy]]
* [[Chemotherapy]]
{{Lymphoma}}
{{Lymphoma}}
[[Category:Lymphoma]]
[[Category:Lymphoma]]
[[Category:Hematology]]
[[Category:Hematology]]

Latest revision as of 13:50, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
Micrograph of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Lymphadenopathy, fever, weight loss, night sweats
Complications Immunodeficiency, infection
Onset Variable
Duration Chronic
Types Primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, Systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
Causes Unknown, possible genetic mutations
Risks Genetic predisposition, immunosuppression
Diagnosis Biopsy, immunohistochemistry
Differential diagnosis Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Lymphoblastic lymphoma
Prevention None
Treatment Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant
Medication Brentuximab vedotin, CHOP chemotherapy
Prognosis Variable, depends on subtype and stage
Frequency Rare
Deaths N/A


Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is characterized by the presence of large, atypical lymphoid cells. It is a rare form of lymphoma that can occur in both children and adults. ALCL is classified as a T-cell lymphoma, meaning it originates from T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system.

Classification[edit]

ALCL is divided into two main types based on the presence or absence of a specific genetic abnormality involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene:

  • ALK-positive ALCL: This type is more common in children and young adults. It is characterized by the presence of a translocation involving the ALK gene, which leads to the expression of an abnormal ALK protein that promotes cell growth and survival.
  • ALK-negative ALCL: This type is more common in older adults and does not have the ALK gene rearrangement. It tends to have a more aggressive clinical course compared to ALK-positive ALCL.

Clinical Presentation[edit]

Patients with ALCL may present with a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Lymphadenopathy: Swelling of the lymph nodes, which may be painless.
  • B symptoms: Fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
  • Extranodal involvement: ALCL can affect organs outside the lymphatic system, such as the skin, liver, lungs, and bones.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of ALCL is made through a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and biopsy of affected tissue. Histological examination reveals large, pleomorphic cells with abundant cytoplasm and horseshoe-shaped nuclei. Immunohistochemistry is used to detect the expression of CD30, a marker that is typically positive in ALCL cells.

Treatment[edit]

The treatment of ALCL depends on the subtype and stage of the disease. Common treatment options include:

  • Chemotherapy: Regimens such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) are commonly used.
  • Targeted therapy: For ALK-positive ALCL, ALK inhibitors such as crizotinib may be used.
  • Radiation therapy: May be used in certain cases, especially for localized disease.
  • Stem cell transplantation: Considered in cases of relapsed or refractory ALCL.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis of ALCL varies depending on the subtype and other factors such as age and overall health. ALK-positive ALCL generally has a better prognosis compared to ALK-negative ALCL. Long-term survival rates are higher in children and young adults compared to older patients.

Related Pages[edit]