title: Alternative treatment for retinoblastoma: Intra-arterial chemotherapy with melphalan.
abstract: METHODS
  A 10-month old infant was referred for the study of a leukocoria of the left eye of one month onset. On examination, a retinoblastoma occupying the macular area was detected. Treatment with intra-arterial chemotherapy (melphalan 6 mg) was performed, with no further intervention required for disease control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melphalan is an effective chemotherapeutic agent. However, its use is limited by the systemic toxicity that may occur. Intra-arterial chemotherapy allows the selective release of melphalan into the ophthalmic artery, thus limiting its systemic toxicity. This combination of efficiency, safety and accuracy makes it an attractive therapeutic alternative for the management of retinoblastoma.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Oftalmología Pediátrica, Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España. Electronic address: anyidefrey@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Freytas
authors.affiliation: Sección de Oftalmología Pediátrica, Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harto-Castaño
authors.affiliation: Sección de Oftalmología Pediátrica, Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barranco
authors.affiliation: Sección de Oftalmología Pediátrica, Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aviño
authors.affiliation: Sección de Oftalmología Pediátrica, Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martinez-Costa
mesh_terms: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012074:Remission Induction; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008558:Melphalan
keywords: Arteria oftálmica; Intra-arterial chemotherapy; Leucocoria; Leukocoria; Melfalan; Melphalan; Ophthalmic artery; Quimioterapia intrarterial; Retinoblastoma