Functional results after treatment of retinoblastoma.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the long-term complications associated with external beam radiation in retinoblastoma, alternative treatment methods have been investigated. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the functional results of new treatment modalities.


METHODS
Thirty-seven eyes were treated without external beam irradiation in 31 patients. The median diameter of the largest tumor in each eye was 6 mm. Primary chemotherapy was used in 25 cases, chemothermotherapy was used in 32 cases, cryotherapy was used in 28 cases, iodine 125 Plaques were used in 15 cases, diode laser thermotherapy was used alone in 11 cases, and photocoagulation was performed in 5 cases. The median follow-up after diagnosis of retinoblastoma was 41 months. The visual results were evaluated at a median age of 54 months.


RESULTS
The median visual acuity of the treated eyes was 20/33. Twenty-four eyes presented a visual acuity better than 20/40, 4 eyes had a visual acuity between 20/200 and 20/40, and 9 eyes had a visual acuity less than 20/200. Maculopathy was observed in 16 cases, associated with papillopathy in 1 case. A cataract was observed in 1 case and a vitreous hemorrhage was observed in another case. Twenty-one eyes did not develop any complications. No corneal dryness and very few lens changes were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The functional results after local treatments for retinoblastoma are very good. The most frequent complication is maculopathy, particularly when the tumor involves or is situated close to the macula.
Desjardins
Laurence
L
Department of Ocular Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
Chefchaouni
Mohamed Charif
MC
Lumbroso
Livia
L
Levy
Christine
C
Asselain
Bernard
B
Bours
Daniele
D
Vedrenne
Jacques
J
Zucker
Jean-Michel
JM
Doz
François
F
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents