Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Anaplastic large cell lymphoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis
CDC on Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Anaplastic large cell lymphoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Anaplastic large cell lymphoma differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sowminya Arikapudi, M.B,B.S. [2]

Overview

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma must be differentiated from other diseases such as metastatic carcinoma, B cell lymphoma, primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified, classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, and diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Differential diagnosis

• As the appearance of the hallmark cells, pattern of growth (nesting within lymph nodes) and positivity for EMA may mimic metastatic carcinoma, it is important to include markers for cytokeratin in any diagnostic panel (these will be negative in the case of anaplastic lymphoma).
• Other mimics include CD30 positive B-cell lymphomas with anaplastic cells (including Hodgkin lymphomas). These are identified by their positivity for markers of B-cell lineage and frequent presence of markers of EBV.
• Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas may also be positive for CD30; these are excluded by their anatomic distribution.
• ALK positivity may also be seen in some large cell B-cell lymphomas and occasionally in rhabdomyosarcomas.
• Peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS)
• Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Differential Diagnosis	Similar Features	Differentiating Features
Metastatic carcinoma	On diagnostic test, Metastatic carcinoma demonstrates} nesting within lymph nodes, positivity for EMA also observed in anaplastic large cell lymphoma.	On diagnostic test, Metastatic carcinoma demonstrates} positivity for markers cytokeratin that distinguish it from anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
CD30 positive B-cell lymphomas with anaplastic cells	On [physical exam; history; diagnostic test; imaging], [Differential 1] {has; demonstrates} [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3] also observed in [disease name].	On diagnostic test, B-cell lymphomas with anaplastic cells demonstrates positivity for markers of B-cell lineage and frequent presence of markers of EBV that distinguish it from anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Differential 3	On [physical exam; history; diagnostic test; imaging], [Differential 1] {has; demonstrates} [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3] also observed in [disease name].	On [physical exam; history; diagnostic test; imaging], [Differential 1] {has; demonstrates} [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3] that distinguish it from [disease name].
Differential 4	On [physical exam; history; diagnostic test; imaging], [Differential 1] {has; demonstrates} [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3] also observed in [disease name].	On [physical exam; history; diagnostic test; imaging], [Differential 1] {has; demonstrates} [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3] that distinguish it from [disease name].
Differential 5	On [physical exam; history; diagnostic test; imaging], [Differential 1] {has; demonstrates} [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3] also observed in [disease name].	On [physical exam; history; diagnostic test; imaging], [Differential 1] {has; demonstrates} [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3] that distinguish it from [disease name].