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A small cell variant of ALK-positive, CD8-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with primary subcutaneous presentation mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wang, E; Papalas, J; Siddiqi, I; Stoecker, M; Rehder, C; Sebastain, S; Burchette, J; Huang, Q
Published in: Pathol Res Pract
August 15, 2011

ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL) is an uncommon non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of T-cell origin, the majority of which express CD4 and show frequent pan-T-cell antigen loss. While most cases of ALK+ ALCL have the common pattern characterized by anaplastic morphology with hallmark cells, a less common but well-recognized variant with a small cell pattern may pose a diagnostic challenge. We report a case of ALK+ ALCL with small cell morphology and CD8 subset restriction in a 53-year-old male patient who presented primarily with multiple recurrent subcutaneous nodules with histopathologic features simulating a subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL). The case was initially diagnosed as SPTCL but was reconsidered as ALK+ ALCL when the incidental finding of CD30 positivity on a subsequent biopsy prompted an ALK immunostain, which turned out to be positive in the neoplastic T-cells. The diagnosis of ALK+ ALCL, small cell variant, was then confirmed by detection of an ALK gene rearrangement by FISH analysis. This report highlights a case of ALK+ ALCL with a deceiving clinical and histopathologic presentation, and emphasizes the value of immunohistochemical panel studies and genetic tests in such cases to avoid diagnostic errors.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Pathol Res Pract

DOI

EISSN

1618-0631

Publication Date

August 15, 2011

Volume

207

Issue

8

Start / End Page

522 / 526

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Pathology
  • Panniculitis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic
  • Ki-1 Antigen
  • Humans
  • Diagnosis, Differential
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Wang, E., Papalas, J., Siddiqi, I., Stoecker, M., Rehder, C., Sebastain, S., … Huang, Q. (2011). A small cell variant of ALK-positive, CD8-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with primary subcutaneous presentation mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. Pathol Res Pract, 207(8), 522–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2011.06.002
Wang, Endi, John Papalas, Imran Siddiqi, Maggie Stoecker, Catherine Rehder, Siby Sebastain, Jim Burchette, and Qin Huang. “A small cell variant of ALK-positive, CD8-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with primary subcutaneous presentation mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.Pathol Res Pract 207, no. 8 (August 15, 2011): 522–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2011.06.002.
Wang, Endi, et al. “A small cell variant of ALK-positive, CD8-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with primary subcutaneous presentation mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.Pathol Res Pract, vol. 207, no. 8, Aug. 2011, pp. 522–26. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.prp.2011.06.002.
Wang E, Papalas J, Siddiqi I, Stoecker M, Rehder C, Sebastain S, Burchette J, Huang Q. A small cell variant of ALK-positive, CD8-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with primary subcutaneous presentation mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. Pathol Res Pract. 2011 Aug 15;207(8):522–526.
Journal cover image

Published In

Pathol Res Pract

DOI

EISSN

1618-0631

Publication Date

August 15, 2011

Volume

207

Issue

8

Start / End Page

522 / 526

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Pathology
  • Panniculitis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic
  • Ki-1 Antigen
  • Humans
  • Diagnosis, Differential