Early molecular detection of central nervous system relapse in a child with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma: case report and review of the literature.

Publication/Presentation Date

4-1-2005

Abstract

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/microl. 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.

Volume

44

Issue

4

First Page

400

Last Page

406

ISSN

1545-5009

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

15515044

Department(s)

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Document Type

Article

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