Clinical Findings and Demography of Retinoblastoma in a Tertiary Hospital in a Remote Area in a Developing Country

Abstract

Purpose : To report clinical characteristics and demography of retinoblastoma managed in a tertiary eye hospital in a remote area in a developing country. Methods : This is a descriptive retrospective study. Clinical characteristics were gender, age, tumor growth, onset, severity, laterality, nutritional status, and prominent clinical signs. The socioeconomic demographics of the patient’s families were grouped into work and economic conditions, and education. Management and its outcome were recorded. Results : There were 91 samples, distributed evenly in five years. The frequency was even between middle income 45 patients (49.5%) and lower middle income 46 patients (50.5%). The mean age at diagnosis was 3-5 year with 49 patients (53,8%), ranging from 1 to 12 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1. Less nutritional status were 64 patients (70.3%). All cases occurred unilaterally without family history of RB, and laterality was equal between right and left eye, with 1:1 ratio. Those patients who mainly presented with extra ocular involvement numbered 73 patients (80.2%) and those with clinical symptoms of protruded numbered 70 patients (76.9%). Patients generally presented in stage IV of 70 cases (76.9%). The mean onset was 1-2 years in 43 cases (47.2%). The therapeutic management was chemotherapy. After treatment, all patients followed up in two weeks. Conclusion : RB patients referred to a tertiary hospitalin a remote area are more likely to come in advanced stage, from middle-income group parents. More extraocular cases seen with major clinical features of protruded eye with an onset of 2-3 years.