Clinical features and survival among children with retinoblastoma in Uganda

Abstract

Diagnostic delay results in relatively high mortality among children with retinoblastoma in Uganda. There is an urgent need for more effective treatment modalities, particularly chemotherapy, and nationwide efforts to encourage earlier access to medical care.

Clinical presentation and survival of retinoblastoma in Indian children

“…Regarding gender and survival, the overall survival for the male child was found to be better than the female child in a previous study,22 although no such association was observed among our patients. On multivariate analysis, stage of the disease (intraocular versus extraocular) had a significant impact on the survival outcomes, which is consistent with previous studies that reported an association between severity of disease and the survival outcome 9 27 28…”

Improving survival of retinoblastoma in Uganda

“…The efficacy of chemotherapy was assessed within the context of a clinical cohort of patients with retinoblastoma described in detail elsewhere 6. Between January 2006 and December 2010, ophthalmologists in Uganda were invited to enter cases into the study while retaining management.…”

“…Between January 2006 and December 2010, ophthalmologists in Uganda were invited to enter cases into the study while retaining management. Some ophthalmologists in Uganda run mobile outreach teams, so cases came from all over the country; the degree of clinical investigation varied widely 6. At one centre (Ruharo Eye Hospital in Mbarara), recruitment continued throughout 2011.…”

“…Until recently, surgery had been the only treatment option available in Uganda, with a minority of children receiving radiotherapy from the country's only radiotherapy machine. In our recent nationwide study in which we documented current treatment practice, histology and survival for 282 children with retinoblastoma, it was evident that mortality rates were unacceptably high, largely because children present with late stage disease 6. Survival at 36 months was only 44% overall, with most cases being International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB) group E, or already extraocular, at diagnosis.…”

Retinoblastoma and ndash; pattern, presentation and management: a quintessential experience of 5 years

“…12 Stage of the disease had a significant impact on the survival outcomes, which is consistent with previous studies that reported an association between severity of disease and the survival outcome. 21,33,34 The most feared complication of chemotherapy is the risk of developing other tumors in the medium and long term, particularly leukemia by use of Etoposide. 35 Radiation appears to have a higher incidence of non-ocular tumours.…”