Pulmonary anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: A case-based systematic review of world literature

We describe a case of ALK1 negative (-) pulmonary anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (pALCL) in an adult female with an unfavorable outcome following combination chemotherapy and present a systematic review of 39 such sporadic cases reported over the past 28 years (1990-2018). pALCL occurred in 26 males and 13 females (median age, 43 years [5-81]) and 13/39 (33.33%) were ≤18 years. The lesions were endobronchial in 21 (53.85%) and parenchymal in 18 (46.15%) cases. Twenty-six cases were ALK1-; 13 were ALK1+ (positive); and 27/34 cases had a T cell phenotype (where tested). ALK- cases were characterized by higher age (P = 0.012) at presentation, more B symptoms (P = 0.002), and more parenchymal than endobronchial lesions (P = 0.039). The median survival (N = 29/39) was 60 months; pediatric group had a better survival than adult/elderly group (log-rank, P = 0.026). pALCL is rare and may have a distinct biological behavior.