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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Reconstruct Human Retinoblastoma In Vitro
Published on: October 11, 2022
Presentation of retinoblastoma at a paediatric eye clinic in ghana
V Essuman1, C T Ntim-Amponsah, S Akafo
1Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School, PO Box 4236, Accra, Ghana.
Insights
Late diagnosis of retinoblastoma in developing countries leads to advanced disease and poor outcomes. Early detection and intervention are crucial for improving survival rates in childhood eye cancer.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Global Health
Background:
- Retinoblastoma is the most common childhood intraocular malignancy.
- Developed countries report over 90% survival due to early diagnosis.
- Developing countries face less than 50% survival due to delayed diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the stages of retinoblastoma at presentation.
- To analyze patient outcomes in a developing country setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series analysis of pediatric retinoblastoma patients.
- Clinical and histopathological records from May 2004 to December 2005 were reviewed.
- Data included presentation mode, laterality, Reese-Ellsworth staging, high-risk features, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Twenty-three patients presented with retinoblastoma, predominantly unilateral (82.6%).
- Common presentations included leukocoria (87.0%) and proptosis (34.8%), often corresponding to Reese-Ellsworth stage V (87.0%).
- High-risk features were found in 75% of enucleated eyes, with optic nerve invasion being most common.
Conclusions:
- Most retinoblastoma cases present with advanced disease, characterized by leukocoria, proptosis, and advanced Reese-Ellsworth stages.
- Delayed diagnosis significantly contributes to poor patient outcomes and metastasis, highlighting the need for improved healthcare access.
Background:
Retinobalstoma, the commonest childhood malignant intraocular tumour, is usually diagnosed early with over 90% survival rate in developed countries. In developing countries, the diagnosis is late resulting in less than 50% survival.
Objective:
To determine retinoblastoma stages at presentation and patients' outcomes.
Design:
Retrospective case series.
Methods:
The clinical and histopathological records of children with retinoblastoma seen from May 2004 to December 2005 were studied. Data was analysed for mode of presentation, laterality, clinical staging using Reese-Ellsworth (R-E) classification, histopathological high risk features (HHRF) for metastasis, and patient outcome.
Setting:
Ophthalmology Unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
Results:
Twenty-three patients presented with retinoblastoma over the period. Males were 12(52.2%). The age range from 1 to 84 months, mean 36.3(±22.15) and median (36 months). Nineteen (82.6%) had unilateral and 4(17.4%) bilateral disease. The common clinical presentations were leukocoria in 20(87.0%), proptosis 8(34.8%), strabismus 5(21.7%) and red eye 5(21.7%). The clinical features were commensurate with R-E stage V in 20(87.0%) patients, 2(8.7%) with orbital recurrence and 1(4.3%) with post-enucleation anophthalmos. HHRFs were present in 9(75%) enucleated eyes with invasion of optic nerve as the commonest site (7/9). The patients were followed up for 1 day to 19 months. Eight abandoned treatment, 2 were discharged for palliative treatment, 2 out of 5 with metastasis died and 6 had no metastases at their last visit. Common sites for metastasis were the bone marrow, brain and orbit.
Conclusion:
Majority of the patients presented with advanced disease manifesting as leukocoria, proptosis, RE stages V disease and poor outcome.
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