Pathology case of the month. Abdominal pain and weight loss in a young adult. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

A 34-year-old black man presented with a three-month history of abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss. Physical examination and radiologic studies revealed diffuse lymphadenopathy. Ascites and bilateral pleural effusions were also evident. The patient's condition deteriorated after admission, and he died prior to initiation of therapy. Histologic sections and special studies performed on a cervical lymph node biopsy performed shortly before the patient's death are shown in Figures 1-4. A bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were also performed and revealed no evidence of disease.