Anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting as an epiphyseal lytic lesion--a case report with clinico-pathologic correlation.

Abstract

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is predominantly a systemic disease with nodal involvement, but extranodal involvement can occur either as the primary presentation or during the disease course. Primary epiphyseal involvement is extremely rare with lymphomas. This case report illustrates an 8-year old boy who first presented with pain over the right upper extremity, which was initially treated as epiphyseal osteomyelitis. A few weeks later, he presented with abdominal pain and an abdominal wall mass, which on biopsy proved to be an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.