Meaning of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Cancer
Describes cancer cells that have a change in the structure of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene or a higher than normal amount of ALK protein on their surface. In n ormal cells, ALK helps control cell growth. When cancer cells have the changed ALK gene or make too much ALK protein, the cancer cells may grow more quickly. Knowing whether a cancer is ALK positive may help plan treatment. Cancers that may be ALK positive include neuroblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Also called ALK-positive cancer.