ALK‐negative systemic intravascular anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting in the skin |
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| Authors: | K E Rieger T Polidore R Warnke J Kim |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA;2. Department of Surgery, Sutter Coast Hospital, Cresent City, CA, USA;3. Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA |
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| Abstract: | Systemic cases of the CD30‐positive T‐cell neoplasm, anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), are typically anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)‐positive. The failure to express ALK protein has been shown to portend a worse prognosis. We describe a case of ALK‐negative systemic ALCL that presented as a violaceous plaque on the scalp of a 79‐year‐old man. Interestingly, the neoplastic cells were confined largely within vascular spaces, a configuration that is exceedingly rare in the skin and is more typically seen with intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma. In addition, bcl‐2 immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive in this case, which may portend a more aggressive clinical course. To our knowledge, this report represents the first case of an ALK‐negative ALCL to present intravascularly in the skin. Therefore, the recognition of systemic anaplastic T‐cell lymphoma present within the intravascular spaces is important to avoid misdiagnosis. Rieger K, Polidore T, Warnke R, Kim J. ALK‐negative systemic intravascular anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting in the skin. |
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