Outcome of eyes with unilateral sporadic retinoblastoma based on the initial external findings by the family and the pediatrician

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the enucleation rate for children with unilateral sporadic retinoblastoma based on initial external findings detected by the family and the pediatrician.

Patients and methods: A retrospective, nonrandomized review was performed on 257 consecutive patients with unilateral sporadic retinoblastoma treated at a major ocular oncology center. Data were gathered regarding the initial external clinical finding noted by the family members, pediatrician, and ocular oncologist and then correlated with the final resulted in enucleation in 77%. Specifically, enucleation was necessary in 75% of patients with pediatrician-detected leukocoria, 46% of those with pediatrician-detected strabismus, and 86% of those with pediatrician-detected red eye, heterochromia, decreased visual acuity, or an unspecified eye problem. Enucleation was necessary in 81% of those patients in whom an ocular oncologist detected any external finding such as leukocoria, strabismus, red eye, heterochromia, or buphthalmos and in only 33% of those without external findings.

Conclusions: Children with retinoblastoma who present with obvious external findings of leukocoria, strabismus, or red eye detectable by their family or pediatrician most often require enucleation. Children who manifest no obvious external findings can often avoid enucleation.