Health care timeline for patients with retinoblastoma seen in Southern Philippines Medical Center: Brief report

ABSTRACT

@#Any health care delay in the management of patients with retinoblastoma increases the risk of tumor invasion and permanent loss of vision in the affected eye.1 2 Factors that affect the speed of medical management, such as low physician density, few ophthalmology specialists, and limited third-level referral centers in a locality have been linked to poor health outcomes among patients with retinoblastoma.3 4 5 6 7 A two-month lag between the onset of symptoms and treatment of retinoblastoma has been associated with poor prognosis (i.e., tumor invasion and metastasis),8 9 while a six-month delay in diagnosis has been associated with high mortality rates.