Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic analysis

Hematol Oncol. 1999 Dec;17(4):137-48. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1069(199912)17:4<137::aid-hon642>3.0.co;2-v.

Abstract

The clinicopathologic features of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) are reviewed. ALCL is a heterogeneous group of tumours, and histologic examination alone is not adequate in providing useful prognostic information. However, using a combination of clinical, phenotypic, and genotypic features, several distinct clinicopathologic entities have been identified. A subset of ALCL as presently defined is characterized by a balanced translocation, t(2;5)(p23;q35), resulting in a novel fusion protein (NPM-ALK) that can be readily detected by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies against the ALK protein. Detection of ALK protein, along with other methods for demonstrating the t(2;5), has assisted in identifying a distinct biologic entity within the heterogeneous group of ALCL with significant prognostic implications. It is important to separate these from cases of ALK-negative ALCL, which have a poorer prognosis, and cases of primary cutaneous ALCL, which have an excellent prognosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / ultrastructure
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 / ultrastructure
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / classification
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / epidemiology
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / radiotherapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / analysis
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Prognosis
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / analysis
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Translocation, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Doxorubicin
  • p80(NPM-ALK) protein
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases