Anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting as a cerebellar mass

Abstract

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a T cell lymphoma occurring commonly in childhood and rarely in adults. Central nervous system involvement in ALCL is very rare and cerebellar involvement at presentation has never been described. We examine the case of a young adult who presented with a cerebellar mass. A 19-year-old boy presented with signs of raised intracranial tension, which, on imaging, revealed a right cerebellar mass. He underwent suboccipital craniotomy and partial excision of the tumor. However, the histopathology was inconclusive. He subsequently presented with cerebellar signs and repeat imaging showed recurrence of the cerebellar lesion. He underwent decompression and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. Histopathology was suggestive of ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The patient was started on chemotherapy. However, his neurological status deteriorated, his condition worsened, and he expired a month later.