[Clinical features and prognosis for anaplastic large cell lymphoma]

To determine clinical and pathologic profiles for anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
 Methods: The clinical data of 22 patients with ALCL were analyzed retrospectively. Therapentie effect of different treatment strategies on ALCL was evaluated.
 Results: The median age for these patients was 32(9-70) years old and the patients with positive ALK accounted for 68.2% (15/22). All patients underwent chemotherapy, including regiments of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone), CHOPE (CHOP plus etoposide) or BEACOP (CHOP plus etoposide and bleomycin). Fourteen (63.6%) patients achieved initial complete remission (CR) and the CR rate for patients with ALK+ was significantly higher than that of patients with ALK- (P<0.05), while the age, gender, stage, beta 2-microglobulin (2-MG) level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, B symptoms had no significant effect on the rate of CR (P>0.05). After a median follow-up of 41 (2-150) months, 12 patients were overall survival, the median progression free time was 22.5 (2-150) months, and the age, gender, stage, IPI index, ALK expression level, beta 2-MG level, LDH level, and B symptoms had no significant effect on the rate of overall survival (P>0.05).
 Conclusion: ALK-positive occurs mainly in ALCL patients. The chemotherapy is still the main treatment, and CHOPE regimen is a better initial treatment scheme because the most patients show good prognosis.