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Early molecular detection of central nervous system relapse in a child with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma: Case report and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Armstrong Gregory,
Szallasi Arpad,
Biegel Jaclyn A.,
Shurtleff Sheila,
Bilaniuk Larissa T.,
Womer Richard B.,
Choi John Kim
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.20250
Subject(s) - medicine , pathology , anaplastic lymphoma kinase , cerebrospinal fluid , immunohistochemistry , lymphoma , anaplastic large cell lymphoma , fluorescence in situ hybridization , central nervous system , parenchyma , systemic disease , disease , gene , biology , biochemistry , malignant pleural effusion , chromosome , lung cancer
We report a case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) with central nervous system relapse in an 11‐year‐old boy. The relapse was suspected on morphologic examination of the cytospin preparations of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with a WBC of 10 cells/μl. CSF relapse was confirmed using immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for abnormal ALK expression or gene structure. The patient developed large intracranial metastases, despite systemic, and intrathecal chemotherapy. This case demonstrates the feasibility of detecting ALCL in paucicellular CSF specimens and suggests that even low CSF involvement can herald massive parenchymal disease. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.