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Updated: Dec 7, 2025
06:52
Reconstruct Human Retinoblastoma In Vitro
Published on: October 11, 2022
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Global Retinoblastoma Treatment Outcomes: Association with National Income Level
Ankit Singh Tomar1, Paul T Finger1, Brenda Gallie2
1Department of Ocular Tumor and Orbital Disease, The New York Eye Cancer Center, New York, New York.
Ophthalmology
|October 2, 2020
Summary
Retinoblastoma outcomes are worse in lower-income countries. Patients in lower and middle-income nations face higher metastasis-related mortality and local treatment failure rates compared to high-income nations.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Global Health
Background:
- Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in children.
- Outcomes for retinoblastoma vary significantly worldwide, influenced by socioeconomic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare metastasis-related mortality, local treatment failure, and globe salvage rates for retinoblastoma across countries with differing national income levels.
- To investigate the impact of national income on retinoblastoma treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- An international, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series involving 2190 patients from 18 ophthalmic oncology centers in 13 countries.
- Data from retinoblastoma patients (2001-2013) were analyzed, classifying countries as high-income (HICs), upper middle-income (UMICs), or lower middle-income (LMICs).
- Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and logistic/Cox regression models to assess associations between national income and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Patients in UMICs and LMICs were diagnosed at a later median age (20.0 months) compared to HICs (14.0 months).
- Metastasis-related mortality was substantially higher in UMICs (10.3-fold) and LMICs (9.3-fold) versus HICs.
- Local treatment failure rates were also significantly higher in UMICs (2.2-fold) and LMICs (1.6-fold) compared to HICs.
Conclusions:
- Lower national income levels are significantly associated with increased metastasis-related mortality and local treatment failure in retinoblastoma.
- Global disparities in healthcare resources and access contribute to poorer retinoblastoma outcomes in lower-income settings.
- Addressing socioeconomic factors is crucial for improving globe salvage and survival rates in retinoblastoma worldwide.
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