Case report: a unique pediatric case of a primary CD8 expressing ALK-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma of skeletal muscle

Primary involvement of skeletal muscle is a very rare event in ALK-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). We describe a case of a 10-year old boy presenting with a three week history of pain and a palpable firm swelling at the dorsal aspect of the left thigh. Histological examination of the lesion revealed a tumoral and diffuse polymorphic infiltration of the muscle by large lymphoid cells. Tumor cells displayed eccentric, lobulated "horse shoe" or "kidney-shape" nuclei. The cells showed immunohistochemical positivity for CD30, ALK-1, CD2, CD3, CD7, CD8, and Perforin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed a characteristic rearrangement of the ALK-1 gene in 2p23 leading to the diagnosis of ALK-1 positive ALCL. Chemotherapy according to the ALCL-99-NHL-BFM protocol was initiated and resulted in a complete remission after two cycles. This case illustrates the unusual presentation of a pediatric ALCL in soft tissue with a good response to chemotherapy

Biomagnetic Liver Susceptometry in Long-Term Survivors After Bone Marrow

Introduction Patients with major hematologic malignancy or aplastic anemia were treated with bone marrow (BMT) or stem cell transplantation. Additional transfusion of erythrocyte concentrates during chemotherapy and after BMT is a part of the therapy. As a consequence of the transfusion of red blood cells, iron accumulates in organs, tissues and endocrine glands. In a former study we found increased iron stores in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated by chemotherapy and blood transfusions [1]. To prevent the patients against the potential toxicity of an acute or chronic iron overload, the diagnosis and staging of iron metabolism in these patients is necessary. The most important organ for staging iron overload diseases is the liver, because more than 70% of the total body storage iron is concentrated there. So far, no quantitative data are available in these patients. Currently, the classical invasive liver biopsy with histologic determination of Prussian blue