title: External beam radiotherapy for retinoblastoma: I. Whole eye technique.
abstract: A retrospective analysis has been performed of the results of external beam radiotherapy for retinoblastoma using a whole eye technique. Local tumour control has been assessed in a consecutive series of 175 eyes in 142 children all of whom received external beam radiotherapy as the primary treatment for retinoblastoma. Follow up ranged from 2 to 17 years (median 9 years). Tumour control rates have been analysed with respect to the Reese Ellsworth classification and the series includes eyes in groups I to V. Focal salvage therapy was given for persistent, recurrent, or new tumours after radiotherapy. Following whole eye radiotherapy alone, the overall ocular cure rate was 57%, though with salvage therapy 80% of eyes could be preserved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hungerford
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Toma
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Plowman
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kingston
mesh_terms: D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome