[Retinoblastoma: 21-year review].

The natural history and prognosis of retinoblastoma were analysed using data from 73 medical records with diagnosis of retinoblastoma registered during 1963-1983 at University Hospital of Kinshasa (Zaïre). Of the 73 cases, 24 children (33%) were bilaterally affected. There were 38 (52%) boys and 35 (48%) girls. Ages at diagnosis ranged from 1/2 year to 6 years with an average age of 2.4 years. The white pupil was the most common initial sign. Many of our patients were severely affected with massive tumor filling the entire eye with vitreous seeding and poor general condition. Because of the more advanced stage of the tumor at time of diagnosis, surgery was the usual form of treatment. Only 5 children in our series showed a long-term survival, longer than 3 years after surgical treatment for retinoblastoma.