Extranodal Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Involving the Pancreas: A Rare Presentation

Cureus. 2024 Feb 11;16(2):e54037. doi: 10.7759/cureus.54037. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a subtype of T-cell lymphoma. This disease mainly affects lymph nodes, although extranodal sites may also be involved. Lymphoma in the pancreas is a rare clinical entity whether it manifests as primary or extranodal involvement. We discuss an unusual case of a 29-year-old male patient who presented with epigastric pain and a right neck mass. The patient's symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory tests prompted further investigation using imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, and endoscopic ultrasound, which revealed the presence of soft tissue masses in the right supraclavicular region and an ill-defined lesion within the pancreatic head. These findings eventually led to the identification of secondary extranodal pancreatic lymphoma. Fine needle biopsy (FNB) established an ultimate diagnosis of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive ALCL.

Keywords: extranodal lymphomas; neoplasm of the pancreas; non hodgkin's lymphoma; pancreas lesion; t-cell lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports