Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with plasmablastic features associated with t(2;17)(p23;q23) and characteristic granular cytoplasmic anaplastic lymphoma kinase-1 (ALK1) protein expression is a rare lymphoma subtype.
Lymphomas showing ALK1 reactivity occurred in a younger patient population (median age, 19.5 years) and were associated with improved 5-year survival rates (84%), as compared with lymphomas lacking ALK1 reactivity (median age, 68.0 years; 5-year survival rate, 35%; p = 0.008).