Central nervous system anaplastic large cell lymphoma in an adult: Successful treatment with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy

Abstract

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is 1 of 17 mature T cell neoplasms described by the World Health Organization. Primary central nervous system (PCNS) ALCL represents a distinct rare form of this family of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and discussions of prognosis and management are limited to case reports and case series. Therapies for this disease largely parallel that of other PCNS lymphomas. We report the case of a 38-year-old male soldier who presented with a parieto-occipital mass lesion and neurological sequelae without evidence of systemic disease. Pathologic evaluation of tissue from brain biopsy confirmed ALCL. We elected treatment with an intensive combination of systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy with radiotherapy. Our patient is in complete remission 15 months following therapy. Tailored therapies for PCNS ALCL are unavailable and this regimen may be an option for patients who can tolerate intensive treatments. Copyright © by Association of Military Surgeons of U.S., 2007.