[Treatment of retinoblastoma and results. Lausanne 1963-1989]

97 cases of retinoblastoma were studied with particular attention to methods of treatment and results. The series includes 41 unilateral cases (42%) and 56 bilateral cases (58%), giving a total of 153 eyes. Of these, 19 (20%) were familial cases. Immediate enucleation was necessary in 88 of the 153 eyes; 61 eyes received conservative treatment; 4 eyes, including one bilateral case, showed spontaneous recovery (retinomas). Conservative treatment consisted of high-voltage external beam irradiation in 43 cases, cryo or photocoagulation in 12 cases, and radioactive applicators in 6 cases. The mortality-rate in cases with over 2-years follow up is of 11%. In 65% of treated cases the eye was saved, with 87% of these retaining useful or central vision. The most serious complications are radiation retinopathy (19%), cataract (16%) and exsudative retinal detachment (9%).