High-risk ALK negative anaplastic large-cell lymphoma presenting with hypereosinophilic syndrome in a 2.5-year-old child

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2012 Nov;29(8):686-90. doi: 10.3109/08880018.2012.725238. Epub 2012 Sep 26.

Abstract

The hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) are characterized by prolonged nonreactive peripheral blood hypereosinophilia with tissue damage. The lymphocytic HES variant can precede malignant clonal T-cell disease in adults but it is extremely rare to be the presenting feature of lymphomas in children. Here we present a 2.5-year-old boy with HES and mediastinal T-cell anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) negative systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Mature and immature eosinophils without blasts were shown on bone marrow aspiration while biopsy revealed malignant infiltration. The patient responded well to initial corticosteroid therapy, but high-risk features make a challenge of finding the cure in this extremely rare case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Child, Preschool
  • Eosinophils / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases