Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the lung: a clinicopathologic study of five patients

A rare presentation of anaplastic large cell lymphoma as a cavitary pulmonary mass with hypercalcemia

Cavitary lung lesions found on chest imaging may point to various diseases. These lesions may be caused by numerous etiologies, such as infection, inflammatory diseases, or malignancy. Thus, its etiology may be challenging to differentiate using imaging alone. Differential diagnoses are created using a combination of clinical symptoms, medical history, laboratory results, and physical examination. Primary pulmonary lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) are rare differentials. Here, we report a case of ALCL that initially presented with back pain, intermittent fever, hemoptysis, hypercalcemia, and bilateral multiple cavitary lung nodules. Because a cavitary pulmonary mass with sustained hypercalcemia is commonly seen in patients with squamous cell carcinomas or pulmonary tuberculosis, patients with ALCL may be misdiagnosed and undergo delayed treatment. This study highlights that ALCL should be considered in patients presenting with a cavitary pulmonary mass and hypercalcemia.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting as an endobronchial mass with lung involvement in an adolescent boy

Primary endobronchial presentation of anaplastic large cell lymphoma is rare in the paediatric age group. We present a 12-year-old boy with breathlessness, fever, cough and weight loss, who was misdiagnosed as a case of tuberculosis and started on antitubercular therapy, which showed no improvement. Chest X-ray showed a completely opacified left hemithorax and chest computed tomography revealed a mass encircling the left main bronchus with collapse- consolidation of the left lung. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy revealed a growth in the left main bronchus. Subsequently, fine-needle aspiration cytology and biopsy from the mass confirmed it to be a malignancy consistent with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Metastatic work-up revealed no other sites of involvement. Chemotherapy resulted in rapid and complete regression of the tumour. No evidence of local or distant recurrence was reported after 18 months of follow-up. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this presentation as prompt diagnosis and treatment can give promising results. This case highlights the importance of timely tissue diagnosis in patients with non-resolving pyrexia and organ lesions on imaging.

Hammering home the sickle: an instructive case of endobronchial anaplastic large cell lymphoma

It is extremely unusual for primary pulmonary lymphoma, an uncommon occurrence in any form, to be of T-cell origin and to manifest as an endobronchial lesion. Each of these characteristics is rare individually, so cases that combine them are exceptional. We report a patient in whom primary pulmonary anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a T-cell neoplasm, presented with obstruction of the left upper lobe bronchus, resulting in left upper lobe atelectasis and creating the radiographic luftsichel sign. We briefly discuss anaplastic large cell lymphoma as a whole, place our case in the context of previously published literature on endobronchial anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and review the genesis of the luftsichel sign.

T-cell and NK-cell lymphomas in the lung

While the lung is frequently involved by systemic lymphoma, primary pulmonary lymphoma accounts for less than 1% of all extranodal ymphomas. In particular, T-cell lymphoma is very rare in the lung, as a primary or secondary lesion. Patients with pulmonary T-cell lymphoma usually present with cough, dyspnea, pain, fever, recurrent infections, and hemoptysis. Typical radiologic features include pulmonary nodules, consolidation, solid pulmonary opacities, cystic changes, hilar adenopathy, and pleural effusions. Patients with these clinical and radiologic findings are frequently presumed to have pneumonia and initially treated with empirical antibiotics. Therefore, CT-guided needle biopsy, bronchoscopic examination, or even wedge biopsy should be considered when clinical symptoms show deterioration despite adequate antibiotic therapy. Precise pathologic diagnosis and molecular characterization are recommended in all cases, following the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Principles of treatment typically vary with the different histologic types of T-cell lymphoma.

Rare Primary Pulmonary Marginal Zone Lymphoma Presenting with Incidental Pulmonary Nodules

Pulmonary malignancies carry a significant morbidity and mortality and are one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Primary pulmonary lymphoma is a rare malignancy which should be considered in the differential of solitary pulmonary nodule or lung mass especially in a low-risk patient presenting with constitutional symptoms. Here, we describe a case of an elderly male who presented to our clinic with incidental pulmonary nodules and subsequent workup revealed low grade B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma consistent with diagnosis of primary pulmonary marginal zone lymphoma.

Primary Pulmonary Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Rare Malignancy and Rare Cause of the Luftsichel Sign

Primary pulmonary lymphomas are rare with primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin lymphoma accounting for only 0.3% of primary lung neoplasms. Of these, the large majority are made up of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We present a case of a very rare primary pulmonary anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting as the luftsichel sign on chest radiograph. Pertinent imaging and pathology findings are discussed.

Successful Chemo-Radiotherapy for Primary Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma of the Lung: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Male, 39

Final Diagnosis: Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the lung

Symptoms: Hemoptysis • palpitation • shortness of breath

Medication: Cyclophosphamide • Doxorubicin • Vincristine • Prednisone

Clinical Procedure: Chemoradiotherapy

Specialty: Oncology

Primary Pulmonary Lymphomas

Primary lung lymphoma (PLL) is a rare disease that comprises <0.5% of all primary lung tumors. It is defined as lymphoma confined to the lung with or without hilar lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis or up to 3 months thereafter. Patients with PLL may be asymptomatic or manifest nonspecific clinical symptoms, for example, cough, chest pain, and dyspnea. Some individuals may be immunosupressed or have an autoimmune disorder. Radiologically, PLL can mimic pneumonia, lung carcinoma, or metastasis, and therefore, histologic confirmation is mandatory for definitive diagnosis. Primary lung marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type comprises 70% to 80% of cases. Less common B-cell lymphomas include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LyG), plasmacytoma, and other small lymphocytic lymphomas. PLLs of T-cell origin, largely represented by anaplastic large cell lymphoma, are extremely rare. LyG is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven B-cell lymphoid neoplastic proliferation rich in T cells that produces vasculitis. The disease may present at different stages of progression. Differential diagnosis of PLL varies according to the lymphoma subtype: pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma should be distinguished from reactive inflammatory conditions, whereas high-grade lymphomas may resemble poorly differentiated lung carcinoma, metastatic disease, and other lymphomas. LyG can resemble inflammatory, infectious, and other lymphoid neoplastic processes. A panel of immunohistochemical markers, flow cytometry, and molecular methods are necessary to confirm the diagnosis in the majority of cases. In this article we review the clinical, radiologic, pathologic, and molecular characteristics of several B-cell and T-cell PLLs with exception of Hodgkin lymphoma and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Endobronchial ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Presenting Massive Hemoptysis

Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the lung is highly aggressive and quite rare. We report here a case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive endobronchial ALCL, that was initially thought to be primary lung cancer. A 68-year-old woman presented with hemoptysis, dyspnea, and upper respiratory symptoms persisting since 1 month. The hemoptysis and and bronchial obstruction lead to respiratory failure, prompting emergency radiotherapy and steroid treatment based on the probable diagnosis of lung cancer, although a biopsy did not confirm malignancy. Following treatment, her symptoms resolved completely. Chest computed tomography scan performed 8 months later showed increased and enlarged intra-abdominal lymph nodes, suggesting lymphoma. At that time, a lymph node biopsy was recommended, but the patient refused and was lost to follow up. Sixteen months later, the patient revisited the emergency department, complaining of persistent abdominal pain since several months. A laparoscopic intra-abdominal lymph node biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of ALCL.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or lymphomatoid granulomatosis grade 3: a still-puzzling diagnosis in autopsy

Primary lung lymphoma is a rare entity accounting for approximately 0.3% of all primary neoplasia of the lung and includes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) and lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG). Considering that clinical features may be similar, whereas epidemiology, morphology, and radiological features are different, the authors report a case of a middle-aged man who presented multiple pulmonary nodules in the lower lobes and ground-glass opacities scattered bilaterally on computed tomography. Clinically, he presented a consumptive syndrome with respiratory failure and pleurisy, which progressed until death. The autopsy findings were consistent with lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) grade 3/ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL). The authors call attention to the difficulty of establishing an accurate diagnosis, mainly when the demonstration of EBV-infected atypical B-cells fails.

Immunohistochemistry for the novel markers glypican 3, PAX8, and p40 (ΔNp63) in squamous cell and urothelial carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To examine squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) from diverse anatomic sites and invasive urothelial carcinomas (UCs) for expression of the oncofetal antigen glypican 3 (GPC3), the paired box transcription factor PAX8, and the ΔN isoform of p63 (p40).

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry for GPC3, PAX8, and p40 was performed on whole sections of 107 SCCs from 11 anatomic sites and 49 UCs; evaluation included extent and intensity of staining.

RESULTS

GPC3 was detected in 20% of SCCs and 12% of UCs and PAX8 in 3% of SCCs, limited to the uterine cervix, and 10% of UCs. p40 Was found in 99% of SCCs and 96% of UCs.

CONCLUSIONS

GPC3 expression is frequent in SCC/UC, awareness of which should guard against an incorrect diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, while PAX8, limited in distribution, may have some use in suggesting a cervical or urothelial tract origin in a metastatic squamotransitional carcinoma of unknown primary. There is no drop-off in sensitivity for the diagnoses of SCC or UC with ΔNp63-specific immunohistochemistry, and if this performance can be extended to other applications, p40 may supplant the dominant "pan-p63" antibody clone.

A Rare Case of Anaplastic Variant of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as a Lung Primary

Primary pulmonary lymphoma is an uncommon neoplastic disorder representing approximately 0.5% to 1% of primary pulmonary malignancies. The vast majority are of low-grade, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type. Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the lung is rare, though cases of the centroblastic and immunoblastic variants have been described. We present herein an interesting case of an 80-year-old man who presented with both respiratory and constitutional symptoms and was found to have a 4.5 cm left hilar mass with bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy on imaging. Endobronchial biopsy revealed an aggressive large cell lymphoma, with scattered large, bizarre-shaped nuclei resembling Reed–Sternberg cells, positive for CD20, PAX5, CD30, and MUM-1, consistent with an anaplastic variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Imaging showed no evidence of extrathoracic disease. Standard treatment with cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone and rituximab resulted in significant clinical and radiological response and the patient remains in remission 21 months later. To the best of our knowledge, this modified Ann Arbor stage II2E primary pulmonary lymphoma, is the first description in the English literature of anaplastic variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as a lung primary.

Lymphoproliferative neoplasms of the lung: a review

CONTEXT

Diagnosis and classification of lymphomas are based on the morphologic, immunologic, and genetic features that the lesional cells share with their normal B and T lymphocyte counterparts. Primary pulmonary lymphomas account for 0.3% of primary lung neoplasms and less than 0.5% of all lymphomas.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and summarize the clinical and histopathologic features of the primary pulmonary lymphoma and secondary involvement of the lung by lymphoma.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed published literature and personal experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of clonal lymphoid proliferations in the lung has evolved owing to the greater utility of molecular and flow cytometric analysis of tissue. Further studies are needed to best define the clinical and prognostic features, as well as search for targeted therapy for these patients with rare neoplasms.

p40 (ΔNp63) is superior to p63 for the diagnosis of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma

Immunohistochemistry has recently emerged as a powerful ancillary tool for differentiating lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma-a distinction with important therapeutic implications. Although the most frequently recommended squamous marker p63 is extremely sensitive, it suffers from low specificity due to its reactivity in a substantial proportion of lung adenocarcinomas and other tumor types, particularly lymphomas. p40 is a relatively unknown antibody that recognizes ΔNp63-a p63 isoform suggested to be highly specific for squamous/basal cells. Here we compared the standard p63 antibody (4A4) and p40 in a series of 470 tumors from the archives of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and The Johns Hopkins Hospital, which included lung squamous cell carcinomas (n=81), adenocarcinomas (n=237), and large cell lymphomas (n=152). The p63 was positive in 100% of squamous cell carcinomas, 31% of adenocarcinomas, and 54% of large cell lymphomas (sensitivity 100%, specificity 60%). In contrast, although p40 was also positive in 100% of squamous cell carcinomas, only 3% of adenocarcinomas, and none of large cell lymphomas had p40 labeling (sensitivity 100%, specificity 98%). The mean percentage of p63 versus p40-immunoreactive cells in squamous cell carcinomas was equivalent (97 vs 96%, respectively, P=0.73). Rare adenocarcinomas with p40 labeling had reactivity in no more than 5% of tumor cells, whereas the mean (range) of p63-positive cells in adenocarcinomas and lymphomas was 26% (1-90%) and 48% (2-100%), respectively. In summary, p40 is equivalent to p63 in sensitivity for squamous cell carcinoma, but it is markedly superior to p63 in specificity, which eliminates a potential pitfall of misinterpreting a p63-positive adenocarcinoma or unsuspected lymphoma as squamous cell carcinoma. These findings strongly support the routine use of p40 in place of p63 for the diagnosis of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma.

A Practical Approach to the Evaluation of Lymphoid and Plasma Cell Infiltrates in the Lung

Pulmonary biopsy specimens demonstrate varying degrees of infiltration by lymphoid cells and plasma cells, which may raise concern about involvement of a lymphoid or plasma cell neoplasm. Although paraffin section immunohistochemical stains and molecular genotyping studies are capable of assisting in the distinction between reactive and neoplastic infiltrates, it can be difficult to decide what studies to perform. This article describes a practical approach for the evaluation of lymphoid and plasma cell infiltrates in the lung through the identification of several key histologic features.

An interesting case of lung mass

A 46-year-male smoker presented with cough and fever to a chest physician, who on the basis of chest X-ray started him on antitubercular treatment. However, further evaluation suggested that the patient was suffering from a rare disease, i.e. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma of lung. Although lung involvement in cases of lymphoma is observed in as high as 40% of cases, in autopsy series, the exact clinical incidence is not known. One of the largest lymphoma groups reported it to be around 25%. However, primary pulmonary lymphomas have been extremely rare (0.4%), and whenever present they are of (Mucosa Associate Lymphoid tissue) MALT type, with occasional diffuse large cell lymphomas. The anaplastic variant is extremely uncommon. Usually the treatment results are satisfactory with more than 80% of the cases surviving even after 3 years. Here we report the case of anaplastic primary nonHodgkin's lymphoma of lung and review the literature.

Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the lung. Report of two cases and literature review

To our knowledge, only eleven cases of primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the lung have previously been reported. We describe here another two cases of primary pulmonary ALCL that developed in two Chinese women. Both patients presented with insidious symptoms related to pulmonary mass or nodule lesions. A comprehensive workup failed to show disease outside the chest. CD30-positive ALCL was demonstrated by histopathological studies of the lung tissue. Both patients were treated with 6 cycles of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy and had complete remission. Primary pulmonary lymphoma is a great challenge for pneumologists since the clinical presentations and radiological findings are nonspecific. Appropriate invasive biopsy is necessary for early diagnosis.

Primary Pulmonary Lymphoma: Current Status

Primary pulmonary lymphoma (PPL) is a rare disease with a favorable prognosis compared with lung cancer. Although a number of histologic variables of B- and T-cell lymphoma were reported as PPL, marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type is by far the most frequent diagnosis. This review summarizes the present knowledge of histopathology, molecular biology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of this heterogeneous entity.

Epithelial and soft tissue tumors of the tracheobronchial tree

This article provides a broad overview of tumors that can involve the tracheobronchial tree. For the most part, the clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic presentation of these rare tumors does not differ significantly from the more common tumors of the lung. Appropriate classification of many tracheobronchial tumors ultimately requires complete sampling and a thorough microscopic evaluation. The introduction of ancillary diagnostic techniques such as immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis will continue to refine tumor classification.