Experience with chemoreduction and focal therapy for intraocular retinoblastoma in a developing country

Chemoreduction is used for the treatment of retinoblastoma in industrialized nations; however, there are fewer data from developing countries. Before the implementation of this program, radiotherapy was used in almost all preserved eyes.

Retrospective evaluation from 1995 to 2001 at the Hospital Garrahan (Argentina). Carboplatin 18.7 mg/kg/day 1 and vincristine (0.05 mg/kg/day 1) were offered to patients with Reese-Ellsworth (RE) groups I-III and all unilateral cases. Etoposide (3.3 mg/kg/day 1 and 2) was added for groups IV and V. The number of cycles was tailored according to response.

Fifty-eight patients (78 eyes) were evaluated (39 bilateral, 19 unilateral). With a median follow-up of 47 months, 40 patients had unilateral enucleation, 14 were not enucleated, and 4 had bilateral enucleation. Nineteen patients had unilateral initial enucleation. Eye preservation at 5 years was: RE groups I-III (n = 24 eyes), 0.9 (SE: 0.095) IV-V (n = 54), 0.45 (SE 0.07). Patients received a median of four cycles of chemotherapy. Acute toxicity was mild. External beam radiotherapy was avoided in 41% of eyes with groups I-III. Etoposide was avoided in 24 patients. Two patients died of metastasis. No secondary malignancy occurred.

Compared to our previous experience, eye preservation was better and even though less radiotherapy was used, it was prescribed more often than currently recommended in eyes with less advanced disease because of limited availability of sophisticated local therapy.