Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
Reconstruct Human Retinoblastoma In Vitro
Published on: October 11, 2022
Retinoblastoma in Asia
Mukesh Jain1, Duangnate Rojanaporn2, Bhavna Chawla3
1Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, 600006, Tamil Nadu, India.
Insights
Retinoblastoma (RB) significantly impacts the Asia-Pacific region, with 43% of global cases concentrated there. Addressing socio-economic disparities is crucial for improving culturally relevant and economically feasible interventions for this childhood cancer.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Global Health
Background:
- The Asia-Pacific region shoulders a substantial global burden of retinoblastoma (RB), a significant childhood eye cancer.
- In 2013, 43% of global RB cases occurred in six Asia-Pacific countries, highlighting regional disparities.
- Technological and socio-economic variations within the region contribute to diverse clinical presentations and survival rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To underscore the importance of understanding retinoblastoma in the Asia-Pacific region.
- To identify socio-economic challenges and opportunities for intervention development.
- To propose actionable steps for improving RB care and outcomes in developing nations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2013 population estimates to determine the global burden of retinoblastoma.
- Review of existing literature on technological and socio-economic disparities in the region.
- Identification of potential strategies for disease management and intervention.
Main Results:
- India and China account for the highest numbers of retinoblastoma cases in the region.
- Significant disparities in clinical presentation and survival rates exist due to socio-economic factors.
- Challenges in managing retinoblastoma are multifaceted, encompassing technological, social, and economic aspects.
Conclusions:
- Effective interventions for retinoblastoma in the Asia-Pacific must be culturally relevant and economically feasible.
- Key strategies include disease education, universal screening, subsidized treatment, and enhanced healthcare infrastructure.
- Developing specialized centers with tele-ophthalmology services can improve access to care and outcomes for children with retinoblastoma.
Abstract:
Asia-Pacific region bears a significant global burden of retinoblastoma (RB), therefore understanding RB in Asia-Pacific region is important. Based on the year 2013 population estimates, 43% (3452 of 8099 children) of the global burden of RB lives in 6 countries of Asia-Pacific region: 1486 children in India, 1103 children in China, 277 children in Indonesia, 260 children in Pakistan, 184 children in Bangladesh, 142 children in Philippines. There exists a wide disparity, technological and socio-economical, within countries in this region resulting in a varied pattern of clinical presentation and survival varies. Challenges in developing nations are not just technological, but also social. Opportunities emerge for research to study and understand the socio-economical aspects of the disease to develop interventions that are relevant culturally and feasible economically. Possible steps include disease education and counselling, universal screening, highly subsidized/free of cost treatment for low socioeconomic strata, raising funds through the government and non-governmental organizations, sensitization and training of man-power in screening, diagnosis and treatment, and developing new specialized centers with tele-ophthalmology services.
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