Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that  T-cells. Pathologically, T-cells appear abnormal, large, and undeveloped. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage which means that they have spread to different parts and organs of the body.

There are four (4) types of Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL):

1. ALK-positive ALCL is considered as the most common type and with a higher incidence in males versus females (3:1).
2. ALK-negative ALCL is slightly more in males versus females and usually affects older ages.
3. Breast implant-associated ALCL is very rare and affects some of those who had silicone breast implantation.
4. Primary cutaneous ALCL develops in the skin and considered as a low grade of ALCL.

Patients diagnosed with either positive or negative ALCL shared several symptoms like: 

1. Swollen lymph nodes
2. Diarrhea or vomiting
3. Fevers (B symptoms)
4. Night sweats (B symptoms)
5. Weight loss (B symptoms)
6. Short of breath
7. Cough 
8. Chest pressure
9. Anemia 
10. Thrombocytopenia
11. Rash

There are several chemotherapies for ALCL that have been used and still used like, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (or hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone. Recently, the FDA approved a targeted therapy called brentuximab vedotin (ADCetris) in combination with cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, and prednisolone for the treatment of ALCL.