title: Retinoblastoma in Turkey: survival and clinical characteristics 1981-2004.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, the authors aim to describe the survival and clinical characteristics of 141 retinoblastoma cases treated at Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey, between 1981 and 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 141 children (177 eyes) diagnosed with retinoblastoma and treated between 1981 and 2004. Information on gender, laterality, age at diagnosis, presenting signs, spread of tumor, treatment modality, survival rate, and family history were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 105 cases (74.5%) were unilateral and 36 cases (25.5%) were bilateral. The mean age overall at the time of diagnosis was 25 months; in unilateral cases, 29 months; and in bilateral cases, 16 months. The most common presenting signs were leukocoria (116 cases, 82%), strabismus (14 cases, 10%) and proptosis (11 cases, 8%). A total of 28 cases had orbital extension, nine patients had central nervous system invasion, and five cases exhibited bone marrow involvement. In total, 16 patients (11%) had a family history of retinoblastoma. One case developed a secondary neoplasm. The 3 year cumulative survival rate of 141 patients was 89.69% (unilateral, 90.74%; bilateral 87.35% P = 0.9371, P > 0.05, log rank test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study's survival rate was similar to developed countries. The success in higher survival rates is based on the authors multidisciplinary team approach done by the same group and the support of the authors' clinic and government in sponsoring the medical insurance of all patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology, University of Istanbul, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. alpozkan@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Alp
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Halit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pazarli
authors.forename: Tiraje
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Celkan
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: Hilmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Apak
authors.forename: Gültekin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaner
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Uzel
authors.forename: Inci
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yildiz
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology