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Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreAnaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the T lymphocytes of the immune system. T lymphocytes travel through the body's lymphatic vessels. Because of this, ALCL may form in almost any location in the body. Common sites include:
ALCL makes up about 10% of all childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases.
Signs and symptoms of lymphoma depend on where the disease starts and may include:
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma as seen through a microscope.
A cancer diagnosis requires tests and procedures. The health care provider will give your child a physical exam, get details about their medical history, and order tests such as:
A biopsy is a sample of tissue taken from a tumor. It helps the care team diagnose your child's condition.
If the pathologist finds lymphoma cells in the biopsy sample, the lab will perform more lab tests on the sample. These may include flow cytometry, immunophenotyping, and cytogenetic analysis, if these tests are available. Your care provider may order genetic tests to find any genetic changes in the cancer cells.
There are 2 types of ALCL:
If a biopsy shows cancer, the care team will plan treatment based on the cancer stage. Some tumors grow rapidly. So the care team must stage the lymphoma as quickly as possible.
Your child may have other tests to determine the stage of disease. These tests may include:
The stage will tell how much cancer is present and if it has spread to other parts of the body.
The International Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Staging System divides the diseases into 4 stages:
Treatment depends on the following:
Treatment may include:
As with any treatment, there can be side effects. One problem is tumor lysis syndrome. This happens when cancer cells quickly die and break apart in response to treatment. The care team will watch your child closely for possible side effects. Speak with your health care provider if you have questions.
Examples of commonly used medicines to treat ALCL include:
Chemotherapy usually takes 3–12 months to complete.
For relapsed ALCL, treatment may include:
Your health care provider is the best source of information about your child's case. Each case is different, and the prognosis depends on a number of factors, including:
The 5-year event-free survival rate for ALCL in the United States is about 70%. Children with ALK-positive ALCL usually do well with chemotherapy. Those with ALK-negative ALCL have a greater risk of relapse.
Coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be stressful for you and your family. You may want to talk to a social worker, a psychologist, or another mental health specialist.
Learn more about how to talk to your child about cancer.
After treatment, your child's care team may use imaging tests and exams to watch for recurrence. Childhood cancer survivors should get long-term follow-up care. Some treatments can cause late effects. These are health problems that happen months or years after the end of their treatment.
After completing treatment, it is important that your child:
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Reviewed: May 2023
