Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: features presenting diagnostic challenges

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Oct;138(10):1290-4. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2014-0295-CC.

Abstract

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma has histopathologic features that necessitate a broad differential diagnosis. Diagnostic considerations include carcinoma, melanoma, and hematopoietic malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloid sarcoma, and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. Unusual features can include subtle sinusoidal involvement, histiocytic morphology, cytokeratin expression, CD15 expression, and variant patterns of anaplastic lymphoma kinase expression. Cases with unusual morphologic or immunohistochemical findings will be presented to highlight the complexity encountered in practice.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Histiocytes / metabolism
  • Histiocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Keratins / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Keratins