Anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting as acute liver failure: A report of two cases with review of literature

Ann Hepatol. 2010 Oct-Dec;9(4):457-61.

Abstract

Primary hepatic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the liver is a rare entity. We present here two cases of primary hepatic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the null-cell type. Both the cases had jaundice with "B" symptoms and hepatomegaly. The serum billirubin and liver enzymes were raised in both cases. The liver showed sinusoidal infiltration by atypical lymphoid cells with marked nuclear pleomorphism, dispersed chromatin and prominent nucleoli in both the cases. These cells were positive for CD30, negative for CD3, CD20 and EMA, and diagnosed as ALCL of the null-cell type. We hereby report these cases with the review of literature on primary hepatic ALCLwith their possible etio-pathogenesis & diagnostic clues which may help in timely diagnosis & management in such cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ki-1 Antigen / metabolism
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / metabolism
  • Liver Failure, Acute / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / pathology
  • Male

Substances

  • Ki-1 Antigen
  • Bilirubin