Prognosis
During treatment, relapses may occur but these typically remain sensitive to chemotherapy.
Those with ALK positivity have a better prognosis. It is possible that ALK-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphomas represent other T-cell lymphomas that are morphologic mimics of ALCL in a final common pathway of disease progression. Whereas ALK-positive ALCLs are molecularly characterized and can be readily diagnosed, specific immunophenotypic or genetic features to define ALK-negative ALCL are missing and their distinction from other T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (T-NHLs) remains controversial, although promising diagnostic tools for their recognition have been developed and might be helpful to drive appropriate therapeutic protocols.
Systemic ALK+ ALCL 5-year survival: 70-80%. Systemic ALK- ALCL 5-year survival: 15-45%. Primary Cutaneous ALCL: Prognosis is good if there is not extensive involvement regardless of whether or not ALK is positive with an approximately 90% 5-year survival rate.
Read more about this topic: Anaplastic Large-cell Lymphoma