Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: Two-year results from tertiary eye-care center in India.

AIM: The aim of this study is to describe treatment outcomes and complications of selective intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for intraocular retinoblastoma (RB).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective, interventional series of 10 eyes with RB which underwent IAC using melphalan (5 mg/7.5 mg) and topotecan (1 mg), or melphalan (5 mg/7.5 mg) alone. Treatment outcomes were evaluated in terms of tumor control, vitreous seeds (VS) and subretinal seeds (SRS) control, and globe salvage rates.

RESULTS

Ten eyes of 10 patients underwent 38 IAC sessions (mean = 3.8; median = 4; range = 3-5 sessions). Following IAC, complete regression of main tumor was seen in 9 eyes (90%) and partial regression in 1 (10%). All four eyes with SRS showed complete regression (100%). Of 5 eyes with VS, 3 eyes (60%) showed complete regression, 1 eye (20%) showed relapse, while 1 eye (20%) showed no response. Globe salvage was achieved in 8 of 10 eyes (80%). Complications included transient ophthalmic artery narrowing (n = 2), branched retinal vein occlusion (n = 1), forehead skin pigmentation (n = 1), and vitreous hemorrhage (n = 2). There was no case of stroke, hemiplegia, metastasis, or death. Transient hematological changes included relative pancytopenia (n = 4), relative leukopenia (n = 5), and relative thrombocytopenia (n = 4). Mean follow-up was 26 months (median = 28, range = 13-36) from the initiation of first IAC.

CONCLUSIONS

IAC is an effective therapy for globe preservation in eyes with intraocular RB, in the setting of a developing country like India. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required to validate these results.