Chemotherapy in patients with retinoblastoma

Chemotherapy composed of vincristine, cyclophosphamide, procarbazine and intrathecal thiotepa/methotrexate (in the indicated ones) were given for 1.5 years in the doubtful and very unfavorable (Reese-Ellsworth classification) cases of retinoblastoma. There were 58 new cases treated at the Department of Ophthalmology and the Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital from October 1, 1985 to December 31, 1991. Eight cases had refused the surgery prior to admission. Nine cases were not given chemotherapy due to the very advanced cases and refusal. Forty-nine cases received chemotherapy. Eighteen cases were not followed. Among 31 evaluable cases, three cases had progression of the disease. Twenty-eight cases (90%) were clinically well 2 months-6 years after discontinuation of chemotherapy. The good result could be attributable to spontaneous regression (minimal percentage), surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. However, obvious chemotherapeutic effects were seen in some cases. Even though 28 cases seemed to have good result including three of the 8 cases who had refused surgery before admission, we should stress that retinoblastoma is a curable disease provided that early diagnosis and treatment are rendered. Ophthalmologic examination in first degree relatives should be done in the bilaterally involved cases.