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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Establishment and Propagation of Human Retinoblastoma Tumors in Immune Deficient Mice
Published on: August 4, 2011
Clinical spectrum of diffuse infiltrating retinoblastoma in 34 consecutive eyes
Carol L Shields1, Fariba Ghassemi, Samuray Tuncer
1Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. carol.shields@shieldsoncology.com
Purpose:
To evaluate the clinical features and management of diffuse infiltrating retinoblastoma.
Design:
Retrospective case series.
Participants:
Thirty-four eyes in 32 patients.
Methods:
The patients' records were reviewed for patient and tumor features, ocular management, histopathologic findings, and patient survival.
Main Outcome Measures:
Clinical features, tumor management, and patient survival.
Results:
Of 1507 patients with retinoblastoma, only 32 (2%) were classified with diffuse infiltrating retinoblastoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 4 years (range 1.5-16 years). The referring diagnoses included retinoblastoma (26 eyes, 76%), uveitis (3, 9%), Coats disease (1, 3%), trauma (1, 3%), and unspecified retinal problem (3, 9%). The anterior segment displayed tumor seeds on the corneal endothelium (8, 24%), cornea stromal edema (3, 9%), pseudohypopyon (11, 32%), hyphema (3, 9%), iris neovascularization (17, 50%), and iris tumor nodules (6, 18%). The posterior segment revealed extensive ill-defined retinoblastoma infiltrating the retina for a mean basal diameter of 20 mm and overall flat growth, sometimes with undulating retinal thickening. Overlying extensive vitreous tumor seeds (31, 91%) and vitreous hemorrhage (8, 24%) were noted. Calcification was present on ultrasonography (27/34, 79%) and computed tomography (8/9, 89%). Enucleation was performed for all 34 eyes, and there were no cases of metastases at 47 months follow-up.
Conclusions:
Diffuse infiltrating retinoblastoma can masquerade as uveitis or unexplained hyphema or keratic precipitates. Suspicion for retinoblastoma is important.
Financial Disclosure(S):
The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
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