Retinoblastoma treatment outcomes in Pakistan.

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is most common intraocular malignancy of childhood all over the world including Pakistan. Recent advances in the treatment of disease has improved the survival rates worldwide. Objective: To compare regression of retinoblastoma lesion after monotherapy (chemotherapy) vs combined therapy (chemotherapy + local consolidative therapy). Study Design: Randomized Control trial. Setting: Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology at College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences/ King Edward Medical University, Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Period: January 2015 to June 2016. Material & Methods: 43 patients with retinoblastoma (group C & D) were included in the study. Chemotherapy was given to patients in group1 and chemotherapy followed by local consolidative therapy was given to patients in group2. The percentage of regression of baseline lesion was noted after 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Results: The mean regression of lesion in group 1 was 24.5% and in group2 was 59.9%, after six months of treatment. The value t-test was 36.02 with p value 0.00 (<0.05). Conclusion: The combined modality of chemotherapy and local consolidative therapy is more effective in causing regression of retinoblastoma lesion than chemotherapy.