ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma

Definition

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a very rare variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) mainly affecting middle-aged immunocompetent men and characterized by a consistent primary involvement of lymph nodes (mainly in the cervical and mediastinum lymph nodes) and with infrequent extra nodal involvement of the bone marrow and other extra-nodal sites (head and neck region, liver, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract). It has an aggressive disease course, and is associated with a poor prognosis.

Also known as ALK-DLBCL, ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma, ALK+ large B-cell lymphoma, ALK+ LBCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with expression of full-length ALK, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with expression of full-length anaplastic lymphoma kinase — per MONDO

Also identified as

• NCIT C7225 per MONDO
• Orphanet 364043 per MONDO
• SCTID 715950008 per MONDO
• UMLS C1333294 per MONDO

Affected Organs