Laryngeal Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive B-cell Lymphoma: Case Report and Review

Larynx is an uncommon extranodal site for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive B-cell lymphoma is a rare and aggressive form of NHL. A 19-year-old male presented to the ENT department with globus sensation, hoarseness, cervical lymphadenopathy and weight loss. A 70-degree rigid endoscopic examination of the larynx showed a vascular, irregular, submucosal mass arising from the right aryepiglottic fold causing near complete obstruction of the laryngeal airway. PET-CT showed hypermetabolic lesions in the supraglottis, cervical lymph nodes, cervical spine, ribs and abdominal lymph nodes. Biopsy was taken from the supraglottic mass as well as the enlarged cervical lymph nodes, which revealed ALK-positive large B-cell NHL. In this report, we present a rare case of ALK-positive large B-cell NHL of the larynx, discussing its clinical, radiological and pathological features. A limited review of literature is also presented. There is a need to develop a database for the description of lymphomas affecting the larynx and this case report adds to the existing knowledge of this rare entity.