Radiation treatment of retinoblastoma: experience in the past two decades.

ABSTRACT

This series of 193 patients represents the results in management of retinoblastoma. In cases treated 15 years ago when definitive radiotherapy and fat soluble chemotherapy were not utilized, the results of the treatment were very disappointing. The outcome was more promising after October 1985. Even if all the patients were in the advanced stages, we had a promising outcome, so effective modality of treatment is the most important prognostic factor. The other factors that influence the prognosis include the time for initial treatment, the time for starting the postoperative radiation and the efficiency of the radiation treatment. The follow-up period of 2 years after treatment is adequate to predict the outcome.