Anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a malignant T-cell lymphoma that belongs to the group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It may be in a systematic or cutaneous form. There are also two subtypes of this disease, one ALK-positive and one ALK-negative. This depends on the presence of the enzyme anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK).

Children and adolescents are particularly affected by this disease, and boys seem to be more frequently affected.

Affected persons do not have any symptoms for the time being. Only in the later course does the B-symptomatology occur. These include fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes. Depending on the area in which the lymphoma is located, symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing may also occur.