CD13+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma with leukemic presentation and additional chromosomal abnormality.

ABSTRACT

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a highly malignant neoplasm characterized by pleomorphic appearance, different immunophenotypes and variable sites of involvement. Expression of myeloid-associated markers in anaplastic large cell lymphomas may mislead the medical team and result in delay of diagnosis due to unusual phenotype. It is important to diagnose this type of tumors and distinguish it from myeloid neoplasms (extramedullary myeloid cell tumors and histiocytic tumors) since therapy and prognosis are significantly different.A 16-year-old female patient presented with fever, lymphadenopathy, and high white blood cell count. Diagnosing a CD13+ ALCL with leukemic presentation with additional cytogenetic abnormality (duplication 5q35) was a significant diagnostic challenge.This combination of features, unusual for lymphoma, should be considered in differential diagnosis of myeloid neoplasms and fatal infections.