PAEDIATRIC RETINOBLASTOMA PRESENTATION IN A REGIONAL CANCER CENTRE IN PAKISTAN

  • Saadiya J Khan Paediatric oncology department, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore
  • Naila Inayat Paediatric oncology department, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore

Abstract

Purpose: Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common paediatric intraocular tumour. In the developed world, RB accounts for <5% of all paediatric cancers. In the developing world, RB may comprise about 10–15% of all diagnosed paediatric
cancers according to hospital-based retrospective study in India.

Methods: Medical records for all diagnoses of RB at our regional cancer centre were retrospectively reviewed from January 2005 to September 2015 after IRB approval.


Results: A total of 258 (100%) patient charts were reviewed. More male n = 163 (63.2%) patients were seen than females n = 95 (36.8%). Most patients were diagnosed before the age of 5 years. Positive family history was seen
in 20 (7.8%) patients. The total number of bilateral disease was seen in 75 (29.1%) patients and 183 (70.9%) had unilateral diagnoses. Median age at presentation was 24 months for bilateral and 36 months for unilateral disease.
Conclusions: The median age at presentation shows a significant delay in the establishment of diagnosis for both unilateral and bilateral RB. Compared to western data, there were a higher number of male patients seen. Financial
constraints, access to primary health care, lack of trained personnel and cultural practices are likely factors, leading to delayed presentation and advanced disease state.


Key words: Retinoblastoma, ocular tumours, leukocoria

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Published
2017-07-01
How to Cite
1.
Khan SJ, Inayat N. PAEDIATRIC RETINOBLASTOMA PRESENTATION IN A REGIONAL CANCER CENTRE IN PAKISTAN. J Cancer Allied Spec [Internet]. 2017Jul.1 [cited 2024Mar.29];3(2). Available from: https://journals.sfu.ca/jcas/index.php/jcas/article/view/125
Section
Original Research Article