Anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) translocation in paediatric malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: a case report of novel ALK ‐related tumour spectrum

Aims To report a case of paediatric malignant peritoneal mesothelioma ( MPM ) with evidence of anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) translocation. Methods and results We describe a 10‐year‐old girl who presented with abdominal pain and progressive abdominal distension. She had no history of asbestos exposure. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses were performed and showed a biphasic malignant mesothelioma. In addition, we also studied on a selected set of immunomarkers which may be the potential therapeutic molecular targets including ALK , c‐kit ( CD 117), epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) and human epidermal growth factor 2 ( HER 2)/ neu , as well as corresponding molecular analysis. Consequently, we identified ALK expression by immunohistochemistry, together with evidence of ALK translocation by fluorescent in‐situ hybridization ( FISH ) analysis. Conclusions Paediatric MPM is associated with ALK translocation in our case. The results may open up a new avenue for the study of molecular genesis of paediatric malignant mesothelioma in the future and help to determine whether patients MM s with ALK translocation would benefit from ALK inhibitor treatment.