ABSTRACT
Retinoblastoma (RB) and choroidal malignant melanoma are the most common primary intraocular malignancy in children and adults, respectively.Due to the advance in the diagnosis and treatment of intraocular tumors, the survival rate and survival time of the patients are significantly improved.The goal of the therapy for the patients of intraocular malignant tumors has gradually changed from simply saving life to trying to preserve eyeball on the basis of saving life.Although there are various treatment options for intraocular malignant tumors, eye salvage is still an great challenge for the patients with refractory tumors.In recent years, vitrectomy has been used again by some doctors to the treatment of refractory RB and choroidal malignant melanoma, which undoubtedly gives the hope of eye salvage to the patients with intraocular malignant tumors.However, this therapy arouse controversy because serious intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in some patients.Ophthalmologists should select suitable indications for this surgery cautiously, perform the operation carefully, combine other chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and local treatment and close follow-up if necessary.
ABSTRACT
Retinoblastoma (RB) therapy has evolved over decades.In the 1970s, enucleation was important for improving life prognosis.In the 1980s, external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was popular.In the 1990s, systemic intravenous chemotherapy (IVC) was introduced and currently remains prevalent worldwide for intraocular RB control as well as prevention of systemic metastasis.However, RB seeds in vitreous and subretinal space are still the major obstacles for successful treatments.Advanced ophthalmic imaging technology promotes thorough and detailed description and observation of RB seeds.In the 2000s, interests in periocular chemotherapy (POC), intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) and intravitreous chemotherapy (IVitC) have been explored to overcome the low drug concentration around the seeds and to reduce the systemic side effects.This leads us into a new era of target local chemotherapy of RB.How to make the treatment decision based on biological behavior of RB seeds is a major task for us now.