International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology ( IF 3.0 ) Pub Date : 2020-07-15 , DOI: 10.1177/2058738420941756 Qian Liu 1, 2 , Xian Chen 3 , Gandi Li 2 , Yunxia Ye 2 , Weiping Liu 2 , Sha Zhao 2 , Wenyan Zhang 2
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK + ALCL) is most frequent in youth and possesses a broad morphologic spectrum. However, involvement in central nervous system (CNS) is definitely rare. The case we presented was a 12-year-old Chinese male who presented with headache and emesis for a couple of days. The neoplastic component was smaller cells resembling starry-sky growth pattern and immunohistochemical stained positively for CD30, ALK1, and CD56. Monoclonal T-cell receptor (TCRγ) gene rearrangement and gene translocation involving ALK identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using ALK break apart probe supported the diagnosis of ALK + ALCL. This case showed ALK + ALCL occur in a rare site with an abnormal CD56 expression. Awareness of this entity is important to distinguish it from other intracranial lymphoma.