Retinoblastoma: the challenges of management in Ibadan, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Retinoblastoma is a common highly malignant tumor of the eye. Late presentation leads to poor survival rate in many developing countries.


OBJECTIVE
To identify problems associated with management of retinoblastoma.


METHODS
A retrospective review of cases of retinoblastoma at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between January 1992 and December 2007.


RESULTS
A total of 32 eyes of 26 patients were studied. Sixteen were males and 10 were females. Minimum age at presentation was 4 months and maximum age was 60 months (mean 30.69+/-14.2 mo). Over 90% presented after 1 month of onset. Reasons for late diagnosis included late presentation for unknown reasons, missed diagnosis, and mismanagement in a previous hospital. Eleven of 26 patients defaulted to avoid removal of the eye, and treatment was only completed in 5 patients. Problems included financial constraint regarding investigations and procurement of drugs, as well as availability of the chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinoblastoma is a problematic malignancy of childhood associated with management problems often related to difficulty with patients accepting removal of the affected eye and financial constraint for treatment.
Bekibele
Charles O
CO
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Cob150@yahoo.com
Ayede
Adejumoke I
AI
Asaolu
Olumide O
OO
Brown
Biobele J
BJ
D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies