title: Use of intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: results of a survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To obtain baseline knowledge about the current use of intra-arterial chemotherapy (SSOAIC) in centers worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey including questions about the use of SSOAIC was emailed to retinoblastoma experts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-nine (response rate 69.9%) doctors from 63 centers in 35 countries responded. Thirty-one centers from 19 countries use SSOAIC. Twelve performed more than 50 procedures. Melphalan is the most commonly used drug but 15 centers use more than one drug. First line therapy for advanced unilateral disease is the most common use of SSOAIC (74.2%). Centers with larger experience (>50 applications) were less likely using melphalan alone (P=0.06) and significantly more likely using SSOAIC in more situations such as second line in preference to radiotherapy P=0.05. Nineteen (61.2%) stated that SSOAIC improved their results and 21 (77.8%) reported less toxicity compared to other treatments. Three centers reported that SSOAIC did not improve their results. There were regional variations in the use of SSOAIC which is used more frequently as secondary treatment in Europe compared to the USA and Japan. Ten centers identified cost is the major limiting factor for SSOAIC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SSOAIC is used in an increasing number of centers worldwide with regional variations. Centers with more experience in SSOAIC use it in more situations including other drugs than melphalan. The majority of the centers using this technique reported improved results and few complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nathalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grigorovski
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Oncology Service, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil.
authors.forename: Evandro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lucena
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Oncology Service, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clarissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mattosinho
authors.affiliation: Oncology Service, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona 208950, Spain.
authors.forename: Andreu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parareda
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferman
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Service, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona 208950, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Catalá
authors.affiliation: Oncology Service, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona 208950, Spain.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chantada
keywords: intra-arterial chemotherapy; retinoblastoma; survey