[New treatment for orbital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: 2 cases treated with rituximab].

INTRODUCTION

Orbital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a rare tumor whose diagnosis is often difficult. Treatment of latent lymphoma have been changing because of progress in immunotherapy.

OBSERVATION: We report two patients treated with rituximab (antibody anti-CD20). Two women, 50 and 59 years old, presented low-grade, IE-stage lymphoma. One was conjunctival MALToma, the other was orbitopalpebral, type A, of WFC classification, follicular, with small cells. Immunohistochemistry showed a diffused marking for Ac anti-CD20. Both patients received intravenous rituximab as a first treatment in December 2000, 375 mg/m2, four injections per week. We did not note any major undesirable effects. Both have been in complete remission for 4 years. These patients continue to be followed up.

DISCUSSION: Rituximab's efficacy has been proved mainly in follicular LMNH or in recurrent forms. The recurrence may be more frequent in MALT lymphoma. This medical treatment has low hematologic toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Rituximab offers an alternative for low-grade lymphoma treatment that is well tolerated by the patient.