IHC for CD30 may not be routinely performed in IMT diagnostic pathology, and, recently conducted clinical trials have not prospectively subtyped ALK-positive IMTs on ALK subcellular location, CD30 expression and ALK-fusion partner.12–14 We suggest that the evaluation of IMT should include CD30 expression, ALK staining pattern, molecular screening for cryptic ALK fusions and mutations, characterisation of ALK-fusion partners and identification of other targetable fusions in ALK-negative cases. Here, ALK is linked to inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.