Fine needle aspiration cytology of ALK 1(−), CD 30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma post renal transplantation: A case report and literature review

Post transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) complicates the course of 0.3 to 3% of renal transplant patients receiving immunosuppression.1, 2 Epstein‐Barr Virus (EBV) related Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphomas of B‐cell type is more common than those of T‐cell origin.1 CD30 positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) is a Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (B or T cell type) that accounts for a small percentage of PTLD's. ALCL of T‐cell type are a spectrum of disease ranging from primary cutaneous to systemic nodal ALCL. The systemic nodal ALCL is further subdivided into anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐1 (ALK‐1) positive or negative.3 ALK‐1 protein is a gene fusion product of translocation (2;5) and carries prognostic implications.4–6 We present an unusual manifestation of ALK‐1 negative CD30 positive ALCL in a post renal transplant patient in FNA cytology with all supportive adjuvant studies and differential diagnoses and review the cytology literature on this topic. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.