title: [The Pediatrician's ability to recognize the presenting signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa, Hospital do Câncer AC Camargo, São Paulo, SP. cantoneli@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Célia B Gianotti
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Antoneli
authors.forename: Flávio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Steinhorst
authors.forename: Karina de Cássia Braga
authors.initials: Kde C
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Martha M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chojniak
authors.forename: Paulo Eduardo R S
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Novaes
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: Alois
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: 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