Pushing the limit: Globe salvage of Group D retinoblastoma with severe vitreous seeding with intra-arterial chemotherapy and 15 cycles of intravitreal chemotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: To report the successful treatment of persistent retinoblastoma vitreous seeding with 6 cycles of intra-arterial chemotherapy and 15 cycles of intravitreal chemotherapy injections. Observations: A three-year-old female presented to the ocular oncology clinic with Group D retinoblastoma with severe vitreous seeding. The patient received 3 cycles of intra-arterial chemotherapy (melphalan, topotecan, and carboplatin) and 15 cycles of intravitreal chemotherapy (melphalan and combined melphalan/topotecan). Complete tumor regression and resolution of vitreous seeding was achieved. The best corrected visual acuity in the affected eye was 20/50. Conclusions and Importance: Intravitreal chemotherapy for retinoblastoma vitreous seeding is often restricted to 8 treatment cycles. Patients who do not respond after 8 cycles face salvage therapy with radiation or enucleation. This is a case in which prolonged intravitreal chemotherapy delivery was well tolerated and resulted in sustained tumor remission, with useful visual acuity in the treated eye.

Keywords

• Retinoblastoma
• Vitreous seeds
• Melphalan
• Topotecan
• Intravitreal chemotherapy