Primary gastric anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphoma

Introduction

Primary gastrointestinal lymphomas are observed with a male preponderance, most of which are non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with B-cell dominating over T-cell type. Stomach is the commonest site followed by small intestine, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is the most common subtype.^1,2 Isolated colonic involvement and intestinal perforations at presentation are not infrequent. A few rare variants such as anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and follicular lymphoma are also observed. ALCL is a rare hematological malignancy and a distinct subtype of mature T-cell lymphomas. ALCL is divided into three subtypes: ALK-positive ALCL, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative ALCL, and primary cutaneous ALCL. Although presenting with a similar morphological spectrum as ALK-positive ALCL, ALK-negative ALCL (15%–50% of all systemic ALCL cases) is only defined as a provisional entity. In addition, ALK-negative ALCL usually occurs in comparatively older people and carries a poorer prognosis. Here, we report a rare case of primary gastric ALK-negative ALCL.

Case report

A 59-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of epigastric pain with low-grade fever. On examination, he had no hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy. The results of laboratory examinations, including a full blood count, liver function tests, and serum lactate dehydrogenase, were normal. Computed tomography of the neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed a tumor in the stomach (5×6 cm) with perigastric lymphadenopathy (Figure 1). A diagnosis of lymphoma or gastric cancer was considered likely. Biopsy of the tumor with gastroendoscopy was performed and showed ALCL. Lymphoma cells were positive for CD30, CD2, CD43, LCA, EMA, PAX5, and MUM1 and were negative for CD20, CD3, ALK, CD79a, CD10, Bcl6, CD68, MPO, CK, CD34, and CD138 (Figure 2). The positive ratio of Ki67 was ~80%. Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy showed no infiltration. A diagnosis of primary gastric ALK-negative ALCL was made. Although, first, he was treated with four cycles of CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone), the lymphoma lesions increased in size. Then he underwent two cycles of Hyper-CVAD/MA regimen (hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone/methotrexate and cytarabine). After high-dose chemotherapy, the patient had severe bone marrow suppression. Blood transfusion and anti-infection treatment were given. However, he died of disease progression 3 months later. The patient provided written informed consent for publishing this paper and accompanying images.

Figure 1 CT of the neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed a tumor in the stomach (5×6 cm) with perigastric lymphadenopathy. Abbreviation: CT, computed tomography.

Figure 2 H&E staining of tumor cells. Abbreviation: H&E, hematoxylin and eosin.

Discussion

ALCL belongs to peripheral T-cell lymphomas, which are characterized with strong expression of CD30.³ According to the expression of ALK, ALCL is divided into three categories: primary systemic ALK-positive ALCL, primary systemic ALK-negative ALCL, and primary cutaneous ALCL. ALK-positive ALCL is sensitive to chemotherapy and has a better prognosis, whereas ALK-negative ALCL usually occurs in older patients with a worse prognosis.

The stomach is a common site of extranodal lymphomas. Most primary stomach lymphomas are recognized to be of the B-cell type, such as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. In contrast, primary gastric T-cell lymphomas are very rare. Fewer than 100 cases have been reported, most of which are from Japan.^4–11

Surgery is not commonly used for the treatment of gastric lymphoma. Surgical resection is frequently performed for accurate diagnosis and staging of the disease. Some patients were reported to undergo surgery because the location of the lesion was difficult to approach.^12,13 ALK-positive ALCLs are usually sensitive to a multidrug chemotherapy such as CHOP.^14,15 In this case, we first treated the patient with CHOP regimen, but the disease progressed. Then we changed to a high-grade regimen Hyper-CVAD/MA. In spite of these treatments, he still died of disease progression. This suggests that ALK-negative ALCL is not sensitive to chemotherapy, which leads to poor prognosis.

Acknowledgment

The study was funded by grants 31301161 and 81270603 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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