A clinical study of retinoblastoma

The aim was to analyze general incidence, age incidence, laterality, common mode of presentation, staging of the tumor, radiological evidence, histopathological confirmation, management and follow-up of cases, which were diagnosed as retinoblastoma.

Interventional case series study from April 1997 to March 2000.

Detailed history regarding the symptoms such as white reflex, watering, pain, redness, protrusion of eyeball, squint, hyphema, and defective vision were obtained. Family history regarding consanguinity between parents, health of the siblings and other relatives were recorded. Ocular examination included vision, pupillary reaction, detailed fundus examination, ocular tension, and corneal diameter. Investigations included X-ray orbit and skull, computed tomography scan orbit and brain, B-scan orbit, serum and aqueous lactate dehydrogenase; enucleated eyes were subjected to holoprosencephaly (HPE). Enucleation, radiotherapy, cryotherapy and chemotherapy were modalities of treatment. The empty socket and the other apparently normal eye were examined carefully at each visit.

The incidence of retinoblastoma is less when compared to other diseases of the eye. There was no sex predilection. Most of the cases diagnosed were sporadic and unilateral. Age of onset is earlier for bilateral cases than unilateral cases. Consanguinity bears close relationship with bilateral involvement. Predominant clinical sign is white reflex in the pupillary area. Majority of cases presented in the second stage of the disease. Enucleation plays a greater role in the management of retinoblastoma. HPE should include several sections of the optic nerve to find out skip lesions.