title: Clinical presentation and outcome of retinoblastoma among children treated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Gezira, Sudan: a single Institution experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare and unique cancer that affects the eyes of very young children. There are few reports on RB in Sudan.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study of data from patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma between January 1999 and December 2009 at the National Cancer Institute in Gezira (NCI-Gezira).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 519 cases of childhood cancer treated at NCI-Gezira during the study period, 25 (4.8%) were retinoblastoma. Of these 25 patients with retinoblastoma, there were 13 boys and 19 cases were unilateral. The median age at diagnosis was 36 months (range, 8-60 months). The disease was localized in 9 patients, regional in 5 patients, and metastatic in 11 patients. The most frequent symptoms were enlarged eye (n = 14) and leukocoria (n = 8). Nine patients (36%) have been lost to follow-up; 9 were alive at last follow-up (7 in remission, 2 progressed); and 7 have died (5 from disease and 2 from unrelated causes). Twenty-two eyes were enucleated in 16 patients (6 bilateral and 10 unilateral). Pathologic examination of the enucleated eyes could only be completed in 11 patients. Diagnostic imaging in the form of computerized tomography scans or ultrasonography of the brain and orbit was done for 10 patients (40%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although these findings are not surprising, and similar to reports from other developing countries, we hope our work will provide a foundation for strategies to improve outcome for retinoblastoma in our center such as proper training, public awareness, team approach, and twinning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, National Cancer Institute-University of Gezira, Wad- Sudan. amelobied6@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Amel A E
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Sara M A
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Elsheikh
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elhaj
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: Dafalla
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abuidris
authors.forename: Elgylani A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Eltayeb
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahgoub
authors.forename: Anas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamdoun
authors.forename: Mohamed Mousa
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Babiker
authors.forename: Ahmed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mohamedani
authors.forename: Nasr Eldin M A
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Elwali
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Qaddoumi
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome