Recurrence of retinoblastoma 12 years after brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of retinoblastoma that recurred 12 years after brachytherapy.

DESIGN

Interventional case report.

METHODS

A 2-month-old boy presented in December 1983 with bilateral retinoblastoma and was treated with bilateral 198Au plaque radiotherapy, photocoagulation, and cryotherapy. He maintained a visual acuity of 20/200 in both eyes. In December 1995, he had a sudden decrease of vision in the right eye and vitreous hemorrhage with fluffy opacification.

RESULTS

In January 1996, cytopathologic examination of large keratic precipitates in the right eye demonstrated cells consistant with retinoblastoma. The right eye was enucleated and diffuse retinoblastoma was noted histopathologically. Systemic chemotherapy was given, and there has been no local recurrence or extraocular metastasis for 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This case emphasizes that long-term follow-up is essential for managing retinoblastoma after eye-preserving conservative therapy.