Retinoblastoma: treatment and survival in Great Britain 1963 to 2002

Abstract

Aim: This paper describes the treatment and survival of 1576 children with retinoblastoma in Great Britain diagnosed 1963-2002.

Methods: Survival rates were analysed according to period of diagnosis and tumour laterality.

Results: Survival was calculated by calendar period of diagnosis, 1963-1982 and 1983-2002. For both unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma, survival improved between the two periods. The survival curves for the two periods were significantly different: for unilateral retinoblastoma p<0.00001, for bilateral p<0.01. For unilateral cases, the estimated 5-year survival rates rose from 85% for those diagnosed in 1963-1967 to 97% for those diagnosed in 1998-2002. The equivalent rates for bilateral cases were 88% and 100%.

Conclusion: Survival rates were already high at the start of the study period. They increased with changes in treatment regimens.