Anaplastic B-cell lymphoma is one of 3 morphologic variants of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The other 2 variants are immunoblastic lymphoma and centroblastic lymphoma.

The postulated normal counterpart is a germinal centre B cell or an activated post germinal centre B cell.
The immunophenotype reproduces that of DLBCL, with pan B-cell markers positive, surface and/or cytoplasmic Ig positive in the majority of the cases. The CD30 antigen may test positive, unlike in other DLBCL. CD5 is positive in 10% of the cases. CD10 is expressed in approximately half of the cases.

It is a rare variant of DLBCL.

The disease runs an aggressive course, as all DLBCL.

The lymph node section shows large round or oval cells with pleomorphic nuclei resembling Hodgkins cells or anaplastic cells. It is morphologically indistinguishable from anaplastic large cell lymphoma of T-cell type. A sinusoidal and cohesive growth pattern may be observed.

Chemoimmunotherapy using anti CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in combination with CHOP or CHOP-like regimens is the standard of care.

Chemoimmunotherapy may cure 40-60% of the cases depending on age and risk factors.