A case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma: when you hear hoof beats, sometimes consider zebras, not horses

Summary

A 22-year-old man presented with fever, lymphadenopathy and abdominal pain. With a travel history and considering the young age of the patient, an infective aetiology was thought most likely. Investigations yielded no evidence of infection. Given the increasing severity of the symptoms a neoplastic cause was subsequently considered. Following abdominal ultrasound and CT a lymph node and bone marrow biopsy were performed. These investigations revealed the diagnosis to be anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The patient consequently underwent a course of chemotherapy followed by a course of high-dose chemotherapy with an autologous bone marrow transplant.