title: Visual results and ocular complications following radiotherapy for retinoblastoma.
abstract: Between 1956 and 1974, 28 children with retinoblastoma have been irradiated with the linear accelerator at the Stanford University Medical Center. Twenty-seven children (96%) have been cured of their tumor, with follow-up ranging from 2 1/2 to 21 years. In these survivors, 50 eyes were affected. Twelve were treated by primary enucleation and 38 were irradiated. Sixteen of the 38 irradiated eyes (42%) were ultimately enucleated for recurrent tumor, neovascular glaucoma, or inability to observe the tumor through opaque media. Thus, 22 (58%) irradiated eyes were saved. Of these, five eyes had visual acuity of 20/40 or better, five had 20/50 to 20/100, nine had 20/200 to hand motion, and three had light perception or no light perception. Radiation therapy can sterilize the tumor and maintain useful vision in many children with retinoblastoma.
mesh_terms: D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014792:Visual Acuity