title: Retinoblastoma in Jordan: an epidemiological study (2006-2010).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The epidemiological characteristics of retinoblastoma have been extensively studied in developed countries, however epidemiological data is scarce in the Middle East. We present a de- tailed epidemiological analysis of retinoblastoma in Jordan in an attempt to aid national and regional strategies for improved cancer surveillance and control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of retinoblastoma cases presenting to the sole and exclusive ocular oncology referral center in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty children (59 eyes) presenting with clinically and/or histologically confirmed retinoblastomas were treated at King Hussein Cancer Center (Amman, Jordan) between January 2006 and December 2010. This case series included 28 boys and 12 girls. Data relating to age at diagnosis, laterality, gender, treatment modality and survival were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age-adjusted incidence of retinoblastoma in Jordan was 9.32 cases per million children per year for children aged 0-5 years. The male: female ratio was 2.3:1. Bilateral cases were encountered in 19 pa- tients (47.5%) while 21 patients (52.5%) harbored unilateral retinoblastoma. At the time of follow-up, 38 patients (95%) were alive. Overall, 40 eyes (67.8%) were successfully preserved without the need for enucleation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The national epidemiological data gathered in this study indicates that the incidence of retinoblastoma in Jordan is similar to that reported in various countries of the world. Jordanian boys, however, are at significantly higher risk for developing retinoblastoma than age-matched girls. Furthermore, Jordanian patients are more likely to harbor bilateral retinoblastoma.
authors: King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan. i_nawaiseh@hotmail.com
authors: Imad
authors: I
authors: Jaradat
authors: Yacoub A
authors: YA
authors: Yousef
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Mehyar
authors: Iyad
authors: I
authors: Sultan
authors: Samer
authors: S
authors: Khurma
authors: Khalil
authors: K
authors: Al-Rawashded
authors: Matt
authors: M
authors: Wilson
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Qaddoumi
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Salem
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Alnawaiseh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy