Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy as Primary Treatment for Advanced Unilateral Retinoblastoma in China.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and complications of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) as a primary treatment for advanced unilateral retinoblastoma in Chinese patients.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective review of patients with advanced unilateral retinoblastoma treated with IAC as the primary treatment. The IAC procedures were performed using a balloon-assisted technique. The clinical status and treatment complications were recorded at each visit. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to estimate recurrence-free survival and ocular survival.

RESULTS

In total, 116 eyes of 116 patients with advanced unilateral retinoblastoma were enrolled, including 66 eyes (57%) in group D and 50 eyes (43%) in group E. All treated eyes received a mean of 3 cycles of IAC (range, 3-5), and 66% of the eyes were combined with local consolidation therapy. The median follow-up time was 39 months (range, 22-57 months). The 3-year recurrence-free survival and ocular survival rates were 68.8% (95% CI, 59.2-76.6%) and 88.5% (95% CI, 80.9-93.2%), respectively. Moreover, the 3-year ocular survival rate in group D was significantly higher than that in group E (96.9%, 76.3%; < 0.01). The common ocular complication was vitreous hemorrhage (19.8%). No deaths or severe systemic complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

Primary intra-arterial chemotherapy is effective for the treatment of advanced unilateral retinoblastoma, especially in group D, with acceptable toxicity.