Treatment of grey zone lymphoma using the R-CODOX-M/R-IVAC protocol: Two case reports

RATIONALE: We report our experience with 2 patients diagnosed with grey zone lymphoma (GZL). The histopathological characteristics of lymphomatous tissues in these patients ranged between those of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the classical Hodgkin lymphoma. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 52-year-old female presented to the hospital with a history of lower abdominal pain of metastatic origin for 2 days. She was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and had undergone emergency surgery. A 17-year-old male was admitted to the hospital because of acute left upper abdomen pain. DIAGNOSES: Both patients are diagnosed of GZL primarily based on histopathology. INTERVENTIONS: Both patients were treated with R-CODOX-M/R-IVAC regimen for 4 to 6 cycles. OUTCOMES: The short-term curative effect was complete response; no recurrence was observed as of 32-month follow-up. LESSONS: R-CODOX-M/IVAC regimen exhibited relatively good curative effect. International Prognostic Index score and lactate dehydrogenase level may correlate with prognosis of these patients.