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Intravenous, intraarterial chemotherapy yields globe salvage in advanced retinoblastoma
Primary systemic intravenous chemotherapy with secondary intraarterial chemotherapy yielded a sufficient globe salvage rate with a low risk of metastasis in patients with advanced retinoblastoma, a study found.
The retrospective, nonrandomized interventional case series comprised 14 patients who underwent primary intravenous chemotherapy for management of advanced retinoblastoma.
Intraarterial chemotherapy was subsequently given as rescue therapy for recurrent retinoblastoma or subretinal/vitreous seeds found in 13 eyes and for persistent retinoblastoma found in one eye.
Intraarterial chemotherapy was administered in a mean of three cycles with a mean interval of 40 weeks after completion of intravenous chemotherapy.
Upon completion of both intravenous chemotherapy and secondary intraarterial chemotherapy, eight patients (57%) attained globe salvage at a mean 2 year follow-up.
No life-threatening complications, evidence of retinoblastoma metastasis or signs of second cancers were reported.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.