Frontiers in Medicine (Apr 2022)

Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy as Primary Treatment for Advanced Unilateral Retinoblastoma in China

  • Tingyi Liang,
  • Xin Zhang,
  • Jiakai Li,
  • Xuming Hua,
  • Peiquan Zhao,
  • Xunda Ji

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.855661
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and complications of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) as a primary treatment for advanced unilateral retinoblastoma in Chinese patients.MethodsThis study was a retrospective review of patients with advanced unilateral retinoblastoma treated with IAC as the primary treatment. The IAC procedures were performed using a balloon-assisted technique. The clinical status and treatment complications were recorded at each visit. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to estimate recurrence-free survival and ocular survival.ResultsIn total, 116 eyes of 116 patients with advanced unilateral retinoblastoma were enrolled, including 66 eyes (57%) in group D and 50 eyes (43%) in group E. All treated eyes received a mean of 3 cycles of IAC (range, 3–5), and 66% of the eyes were combined with local consolidation therapy. The median follow-up time was 39 months (range, 22–57 months). The 3-year recurrence-free survival and ocular survival rates were 68.8% (95% CI, 59.2–76.6%) and 88.5% (95% CI, 80.9–93.2%), respectively. Moreover, the 3-year ocular survival rate in group D was significantly higher than that in group E (96.9%, 76.3%; P < 0.01). The common ocular complication was vitreous hemorrhage (19.8%). No deaths or severe systemic complications occurred.ConclusionPrimary intra-arterial chemotherapy is effective for the treatment of advanced unilateral retinoblastoma, especially in group D, with acceptable toxicity.

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