Retinoblastoma: One World, One Vision

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is curable when diagnosed early and treated appropriately; however, the prognosis is dismal when the basic elements in diagnosis and treatment are lacking. In developing countries, poor education, lower socioeconomic conditions, and inefficient health care systems result in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal care. Furthermore, the complexity of multidisciplinary care required is seldom possible. While ocular salvage is a priority in the Western world, death from retinoblastoma is still a major problem in developing countries. To bring the two ends of this spectrum together and provide a forum for discussion, the One World, One Vision symposium was organized, where clinicians and researchers from various cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds converged to discuss their experiences. Strategies for early diagnosis in developing countries were discussed. Elements in the development of retinoblastoma centers in developing countries were discussed, and examples of successful programs were highlighted. An important component in this process is twinning between centers in developing countries and mentor institutions in high-income countries. Global initiatives by nongovernmental organizations such as the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, Orbis International, and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness were presented. Treatment of retinoblastoma in developing countries remains a challenge. However, it is possible to coordinate efforts at multiple levels, including public administrations and nonprofit organizations, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma and to improve the outcome for these children.

Retraction notice to ``Enhanced Antiproliferative Activity of Carboplatin loaded Chitosan-Alginate Nanoparticles in Retinoblastoma Cell Line’’ [Acta Biomaterialia 6 (2010) 3120–3131]

“…Retinoblastoma is the third most common form of cancer in infants and is an ocular disease that requires attention as in approximately 90% of cases metastatic retinoblastoma is lethal. The majority of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma live in developing countries where the probability of survival is closer to 50% due to poor education, lower socio-economic status and inadequate healthcare systems, which results in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal care [1]. Retinoblastoma is a pediatric retinal tumor which is caused by mutation in both alleles of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (RB1) and is the most common intraocular malignancy in children.…”

Retinoblastoma frontiers with intravenous, intra-arterial, periocular, and intravitreal chemotherapy

“…Efforts are underway internationally to educate clinicians, nurses, patients, and entire populations for improvement in retinoblastoma detection. 11 …”

“…Enucleation continues to remain critical for advanced retinoblastoma, particularly in Asia and Africa. 3,10,11 In the 1980s, external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was popular, but later-realized risks of radiationrelated second cancers have lead to reduction in use of this modality. In the 1990s, systemic IVC was introduced with agents of vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin (VEC).…”

Strategies to manage retinoblastoma in developing countries

“…These campaigns were initially launched in Brazil, and subsequently in many other countries targeting the public and local doctors [28]. The goal of awareness campaigns is to improve survival by allowing cases presenting with leukocoria to be diagnosed before they become metastatic and therefore incurable.…”