Aberrant Expression of β-HCG in Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

We report a case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) showing aberrant expression of β subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-HCG). The patient was a 14-year-old boy who presented with a right inguinal mass and a raised serum β-HCG level. Biopsy of the mass revealed a malignant neoplasm composed of large, pleomorphic cells with prominent nucleoli. These malignant cells showed positive staining with CD30, ALK, epithelial membrane antigen, and β-HCG. Chromosomal analysis showed t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation, and polymerase chain reaction demonstrated T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. The patient did not respond well to chemotherapy, and he died 8 months after the diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the 1st case of ALCL showing aberrant expression of β-HCG and associated with a raised serum level of β-HCG. We report this case to bring awareness of this presumably rare occurrence to avoid the risk of misdiagnosis.