PAEDIATRIC RETINOBLASTOMA PRESENTATION IN A REGIONAL CANCER CENTRE IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Purpose: Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common paediatric intraocular tumour. In the developed world, RB accounts for <5% of all paediatric cancers. In the developing world, RB may comprise about 10–15% of all diagnosed paediatric cancers according to hospital-based retrospective study in India. Methods: Medical records for all diagnoses of RB at our regional cancer centre were retrospectively reviewed from January 2005 to September 2015 after IRB approval. Results: A total of 258 (100%) patient charts were reviewed. More male n = 163 (63.2%) patients were seen than females n = 95 (36.8%). Most patients were diagnosed before the age of 5 years. Positive family history was seen in 20 (7.8%) patients. The total number of bilateral disease was seen in 75 (29.1%) patients and 183 (70.9%) had unilateral diagnoses. Median age at presentation was 24 months for bilateral and 36 months for unilateral disease. Conclusions: The median age at presentation shows a significant delay in the establishment of diagnosis for both unilateral and bilateral RB. Compared to western data, there were a higher number of male patients seen. Financial constraints, access to primary health care, lack of trained personnel and cultural practices are likely factors, leading to delayed presentation and advanced disease state. Key words: Retinoblastoma, ocular tumours, leukocoria