Related Experiment Videos
Retinoblastoma after 15 years
C A Servodidio1, D H Abramson, A Romanella
1Cornell University Medical Center, New York, NY.
Insights
This study details the successful treatment of bilateral retinoblastoma in a young girl using radiation, photocoagulation, and cryotherapy. Long-term follow-up showed tumor regression in both eyes, highlighting effective management of this childhood cancer.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood eye cancer, affecting 1 in 18,000-30,000 births.
- Bilateral retinoblastoma cases present earlier and are often multifocal compared to unilateral cases.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing retinoblastoma and preserving vision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of bilateral retinoblastoma treated with external beam radiation and subsequent focal therapies.
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes and regression patterns of treated bilateral retinoblastoma.
- To illustrate the management of recurrent tumors in retinoblastoma.
Main Methods:
- A ten-month-old female diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma (OD: Group Ia, OS: Group IIIb) received 3500 rads of external beam radiation.
- Photocoagulation and cryotherapy were administered for new tumor development in the left eye (OS).
- Metastatic workup was performed and found to be negative.
Main Results:
- The patient achieved tumor regression in both eyes 15 years post-treatment.
- The right eye (OD) showed Type II regression, while the left eye (OS) exhibited Type III regression.
- No evidence of metastasis was detected.
Conclusions:
- Combined modality treatment, including radiation and focal therapies, can achieve long-term tumor control in bilateral retinoblastoma.
- Different regression patterns (Type II and Type III) were observed in the bilateral retinoblastoma case.
- Multifocal and recurrent retinoblastoma necessitates tailored treatment strategies and vigilant follow-up.
Abstract:
Retinoblastoma, a cancer of early childhood, occurs once in 18,000 to 30,000 live births worldwide. Not only are bilateral cases diagnosed at an earlier age than unilateral cases, but bilateral cases are also associated with multifocal tumors. A ten-month-old girl was treated for bilateral retinoblastoma (the right eye was Group Ia; the left eye was Group IIIb) with 3500 rads of external beam radiation. The metastatic workup was negative. Because new tumors developed OS, a combination of photocoagulation and cryotherapy treatments were necessary. Fifteen years after treatment, the right eye had Type II regression and the left eye, Type III.