Anaplastic large cell lymphoma with bone marrow involvement/
A 15-year-old boy presented to his physician with complaints of bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, night sweats, malaise, and weight loss, observed for one month. Subsequent PET scan revealed increased metabolic activity in several lymph nodes, as well as diffuse bone marrow involvement. Hematological parameters were as follows: hemoglobin 13 g/dL, hematocrit 38%, leukocytes 9800/mm³, platelets 148,000/mm³. Bone marrow examination revealed numerous large cells with abundant vacuolated basophilic cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclear features. Some nuclei were embryoid-shaped and eccentrically located, consistent with characteristic anaplastic large cell lymphoma cells, i.e., cells with horseshoe-shaped nuclei. However, most malignant cells, as shown in this image, were quite pleomorphic (see arrows). All cells of interest contain chromatin clumps and prominent nucleoli.
Author: John Laczarczyk; Gregor Krings; Category: Lymphoma: Mature T- and NK-cell lymphoproliferation > Mature T-cell lymphomas > Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive Publication Date: 31.10.2011
Photo source: ASH image bank
