Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma of the Spine: Report of a Rare Case

TL;DR

A rare case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma affecting the spine in a young woman is reported, highlighting the need for better understanding and treatment of this condition.

Contribution

This paper presents a rare clinical case of ALCL involving the cervical and dorsal spine, emphasizing diagnostic and treatment challenges.

Findings

Spinal involvement in ALCL is uncommon, especially in the cervical and dorsal regions.

The case highlights the importance of considering lymphoma in patients with unexplained symptoms and abnormal imaging findings.

Abstract

This abstract discusses a rare case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) involving the cervical and dorsal spine in a 17-year-old female. ALCL is a distinct subtype of lymphoma characterized by abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes and is divided into ALK-positive and ALK-negative subtypes. Spinal involvement in ALCL is uncommon, particularly in the cervical and dorsal regions. The patient presented with persistent fever, weakness, and delayed onset of severe neck pain. Diagnosis involved imaging, bone marrow biopsy, and lymph node biopsy. Treatment strategies for ALCL typically involve a multimodal approach, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, due to the rarity of spinal involvement, treatment decisions are based on extrapolation from other ALCL cases. Prognosis is influenced by disease stage and ALK status, but specific outcomes for spinal involvement remain poorly established. This case emphasizes the need for considering lymphoma in patients with unexplained symptoms and abnormal imaging findings. It highlights the importance of further research to improve the understanding and management of ALCL with spinal involvement.

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