Retinoblastoma in Upper Egypt [1981-1991]

ABSTRACT

We conducted a retrospective study on 78 children with retinoblastoma who were admitted, diagnosed and treated at the Ophthalmology Department of Assiut University Hospital [AUH] in the period between October 1981 and November 1991. Forty-seven children were male and 31 female, forming a male/female ratio of 32. The tumor was unilateral in 68 [87%] and bilateral in 10 children [13%]. Retinoblastoma was primary in 67 [86%] and recurrent in 11 cases [14%]. The mean age at diagnosis in males with unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma was 36 months and 17 months respectively, while it was 33 months in females with unilateral tumors. Bilateral retinoblastoma was seen in only two females, aged 3 and 4 years. The first presenting symptoms were leukokoria [44.9%] and proptosis [39.7%]. Echography showed a solid mass, with moderate to high refractile echoes, an orbital shadowing, and normal axial length of the globe. Retinoblastoma was treated by primary enucleation [50.0%], exenteration [16.7%], irradiation [3.8%], and chemotherapy [2.6%]; in 25.6% of cases the parents refused treatment. The late presentation by the patients, and the deficiency in specialized centers for the management of retinoblastoma in our region of the world worsen the prognosis, both for life and for vision