Study: Most Korean children with retinoblastoma present at advanced stage

A study has found that the majority of Korean children with retinoblastoma have tumors that are already at an advanced stage of development by the time of diagnosis. Despite treatment according to a novel classification system, the rate of globe preservation for these children fell short of rates documented in developed countries.

"Although prospective, large-scale, controlled studies are warranted, our analysis illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment," the study authors said in the September issue of British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Don-I Ham, MD, and colleagues retrospectively analyzed medical records obtained for 92 eyes of 70 children who had been diagnosed and treated for retinoblastoma between 2000 and 2006. Specifically, the investigators evaluated data concerning gender, age at time of diagnosis, laterality, presenting signs, treatment techniques and prognosis. All tumors were classified according to the International Classification of Retinoblastoma.

The investigators identified leukocoria, a late sign indicative of a large tumor and a poor prognosis, in 80% of eyes.

Bilateral retinoblastoma developed in 31.4% of patients, the authors noted.

According to the International Classification of Retinoblastoma, 7.5% of eyes were at very low risk, 23.8% of eyes were at low risk, 6.3% of eyes were at moderate risk, 38.8% of eyes were high risk and 23.8% of eyes were at very high risk.

Globe preservation was achieved for 26.1% of eyes through chemoreduction or focal therapy, the authors noted; the rest of the eyes were enucleated.

Of the globes that were preserved, 100% were very low risk eyes, 77.8% were low risk eyes, 66.7% were moderate risk eyes and 26.7% were high risk eyes, according to the study.