large cell lymphoma prognosis | Datasheet: Large cell anaplastic lymphoma (ALCL)

Datasheet: Large cell anaplastic lymphoma (ALCL)

Large cell anaplastic lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin's T cell lymphoma. It is one of the rare lymphomas since it accounts for 2% of the NHL cases. It affects people of all ages but more often children and young adults (more frequently men) because it accounts for 14% of cases of lymphoma in children.


It is characterized by a genetic change in lymphoma cells. This is manifested by overproduction of a cell called anaplastic or ALK1 lymphoma kinase. These cells present on their surface a marker called CD30 or Antigen Ki-1.

If the genetic change is present in these cells, we speak of alk positive if not, alk negative.

The ALCL alk positive affects people younger than the ALCL alk negative because its average age is 34 years versus 54 years. It is also more aggressive because it evolves quickly. But he responds much better to chemotherapy than the negative KLA.

There are two types of ALCL depending on the location in the body:

Primitive cutaneous ALCL: It is located in 80% of the cases in the skin as a mass or tumor.
In rare cases (10%), it may extend to the lymph nodes.

Treatment for this type of ALCL is identical to cutaneous T-lymphoma.

Systemic primitive ALCL: It is found in the lymph nodes but also in organs or tissues (lungs, liver, bone marrow, skin or soft tissues).


The treatment for ALCL is usually a chemotherapy (CHOP protocol). In highly localized cases (stage I or II), radiation therapy may be considered.

But, often the diagnosis is late (stage III or IV) because the symptoms are not always significant.

In recent years, cases of ALCL that have originated in the scar tissue surrounding an implant have been observed; We are talking about ALCL – AIM. The United States Health Agency recorded on February 1, 2017, 359 cases. In France, ANSM has asked the manufacturers of textured breast implants to perform bicompatibility tests and report the results in the coming months.

The case is therefore to be followed to see if the link between prostheses and the appearance of lymphoma is confirmed and the measures that are going to be put in place. For the time being, there is no concern and it is not envisaged to proceed with the removal of the implants because the number of cases identified is quite low.