"Unifocality as Prognostic Factor for Unilateral Retinoblastoma: Preliminary Results of 32 Eyes Treated with Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy Alone"

Abstract

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular malignancy of in childhood. Approximately 60% of cases are unilateral while 40% are bilateral. With respect to gender distribution, there is male predominance 1.2:1 with survival rate ranging from 86-92%. It is generally diagnosed in patients at an average age of 18 months, with 90% cases diagnosed younger than 5 years of age [1,2]. With recent advances in research and clinical trials, there has been a paradigm shift in the treatment protocols of RB. Enucleation is required for extensive RB. Initial treatment can be conservative when preservation of residual visual function, even minimal, appears to be possible. It usually comprises neoadjuvant Intravenous Chemotherapy (IVC) followed by local treatments of each tumor (Laser, Thermotherapy, Cryotherapy, Plaque radiotherapy) [3]. These treatments allow good eye preservation rates and decrease the indications for external beam radiation (possible cause of second tumors in the irradiation area and beyond) but are not free of ocular and systemic toxicity. In order to improve ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT