[The Pediatrician's ability to recognize the presenting signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma].
BACKGROUND
Retinoblastoma is the most frequent primary intraocular tumor in children. The most common presenting sign is leukocoria and the second one is strabism. In the developing countries extra ocular disease is seen more frequently because of delayed referral.


METHODS
Two hundred and thirty-nine patients with retinoblastoma admitted at the Pediatrics and Ophthalmology Departments of the Hospital do Cancer AC Camargo from 1986 to 1995 were evaluated regarding lag-time and tumor extension.


RESULTS
Patients referred within less than 6 months presented a higher rate of intraocular disease compared with patients having a lag-time greater than 6 months (75% vs. 25%, p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was noted for patients with extra-ocular tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Early diagnosis is the gold standard for patients with Retinoblastoma and the pediatrician's ability to recognize the presenting signs and symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and efficient treatment.
Antoneli
Célia B Gianotti
CB
Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa, Hospital do Câncer AC Camargo, São Paulo, SP. cantoneli@terra.com.br
Steinhorst
Flávio
F
Ribeiro
Karina de Cássia Braga
Kde C
Chojniak
Martha M M
MM
Novaes
Paulo Eduardo R S
PE
Arias
Victor
V
Bianchi
Alois
A
D002648:Child; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics; D011379:Prognosis; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors