Extensively necrotic retinoblastoma is associated with high-risk prognostic factors

Clinical and Histopathologic Predictors of Survival Among Children With Retinoblastoma From Two Tertiary Health Facilities in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a malignant tumour that develops from the immature cells of the retina. It is the most frequent type of paediatric intraocular cancer and is curable. Clinical and histological findings after enucleation of the affected eye dictate not only the patient's secondary care but also their prognosis. We assessed the clinical and histopathologic predictors of survival among children with RB from two tertiary health facilities in Uganda.

METHODS

This retrospective research utilized archived formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded blocks of eye specimens enucleated between 2014 and 2016 at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) Pathology Department and Ruharo Eye Centre (REC) in Mbarara, Uganda. The specimens were then processed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The confirmation of RB was made to include the histologic stage and features of the tumor. Biographic data of the patients and clinical features, such as leukocoria, proptosis, phthisis, staphyloma and buphthalmos, were retrieved from the records.

RESULTS

Males (55.1%, n=43) dominated the study population (N=78). The median age was 31 months. The most common clinical sign was leukocoria (69.2%, n=52), and the most predominant histopathological stage was stage 1 (41%, n=32). Optic nerve (ON) invasion was seen in 38.5% (n=30), choroidal invasion in 29.5% (n=23), scleral invasion in 7.7% (n=6) and orbital extension in 16.7% (n=13) of the cases. Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes were seen in 34.6% (n=27). Necrosis was a prominent feature (71.8%, n=56). The two-year survival was estimated to be 61.5% (n=48). Leukocoria (risk ratio (RR) 1.1), female gender (RR 1.4), intralaminar ON invasion (RR 7.6) and a lack of orbital extension (RR 7) were significant predictors of survival.

CONCLUSION

Leukocoria and proptosis are noticeable clinical signs of RB. Most patients present while in stage one although stage four presentation is also common. Leukocoria, ON invasion, orbital extension and gender are significant factors predictive of survival in patients with RB.

Lenticular changes in eyes with advanced intraocular retinoblastoma: A histopathological study of 48 enucleated eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the lenticular changes in advanced intraocular retinoblastoma (RB) and identify the risk factors for cataract in these eyes.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 48 primary enucleations.

RESULTS

All enucleated eyes were classified either as group D (n = 7; 15%) or group E (n = 41; 85%) tumors based on the International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma. Of the 48 enucleated eyes with RB, cataract was noted clinically in only 5 (18%) cases, while histopathology revealed cataractous changes in 28 (58%) cases. Based on histopathology, the cataractous changes included anterior subcapsular cataract (n = 10; 36%), cortical cataract (n = 6; 21%), posterior subcapsular cataract (n = 10; 36%) and both anterior and posterior subcapsular cataract (n = 2; 7%). Based on multivariate logistic regression, only increased area of necrosis on histopathology was the significant (p = .009) factor predictive of cataractous changes in lens with an odds ratio of 1.08.

CONCLUSION

Eyes with advanced RB can harbor cataract in 58% cases, though most of these are subclinical. Clinically significant cataract may be evident in only 18% cases. Increased tumor necrosis is associated with the development of cataractous changes in RB cases.

Retinoblastoma associated with orbital pseudocellulitis and high-risk retinoblastoma: a study of 32 eyes

PURPOSE

To study the correlation between retinoblastoma (RB) associated with orbital pseudocellulitis and high-risk histopathology features.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 32 patients who underwent primary enucleation for RB presenting with orbital pseudocellulitis.

RESULTS

All RB patients presented with orbital pseudocellulitis. The mean age at presentation of RB was 30 months (median, 24 months; range, 3-70 months). There were 14 (44%) males and 18 (56%) females. All patients were referred with a diagnosis of RB with orbital pseudocellulitis. Tumor was bilateral in 12 (38%) patients but orbital pseudocellulitis was unilateral in all cases. The pseudocellulitis features included proptosis (n = 9; 28%), eyelid edema (n = 22; 69%), conjunctival congestion (n = 23; 72%), and conjunctival chemosis (n = 15; 47%). Based on clinical features and orbital imaging, all patients were diagnosed to have group E intraocular RB. All patients received intravenous steroids prior to enucleation. On histopathology, tumor necrosis was present in all cases with a mean % necrosis of 60% (median, 60%; range, 10% to 90%). Most tumors (72%) were poorly differentiated. High-risk histopathology features were noted in 23 (72%) cases and adjuvant chemotherapy was advised for all these patients. The most common high-risk histopathology features included post-laminar optic nerve infiltration (34%) and scleral infiltration (22%). Over a mean follow-up period of 34 months (median, 9 months; range, < 1-188 months), there was no event of metastasis or death in any patient.

CONCLUSION

RB presenting with orbital pseudocellulitis is associated with high incidence of high-risk histopathology features.

Clinical relevance of the comparative expression of immune checkpoint markers with the clinicopathological findings in patients with primary and chemoreduced retinoblastoma

PURPOSE

The goal of this study is to identify the pathological findings and expression of immune checkpoint marker (PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4) in the tumor microenvironment of both primary and chemoreduced retinoblastoma and correlate them with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome.

METHODS

Total of 262 prospective cases was included prospectively in which 144 cases underwent primary enucleation and 118 cases received chemotherapy/radiotherapy before enucleation (chemoreduced retinoblastoma). Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression pattern of immune checkpoint markers in primary and chemoreduced retinoblastoma.

RESULTS

Tumor microenvironment were different for both primary and chemoreduced retinoblastoma. Expression of PD-1 was found in 29/144 (20.13%) and 48/118 (40.67%) in primary and chemoreduced retinoblastoma, respectively, whereas PD-L1 was expressed in 46/144 (31.94%) and 22/118 (18.64%) in cases of primary and chemoreduced retinoblastoma, respectively. Expression pattern of CTLA-4 protein was similar in both groups of retinoblastoma. On multivariate analysis, massive choroidal invasion, bilaterality and PD-L1 expression (p = 0.034) were found to be statistically significant factors in primary retinoblastoma, whereas PD-1 expression (p = 0.015) and foamy macrophages were significant factors in chemoreduced retinoblastoma. Overall survival was reduced in cases of PD-L1 (80.76%) expressed primary retinoblastoma, and PD-1 (63.28%) expressed chemoreduced retinoblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first of its kind study predicting a relevant role of the immune checkpoint markers in both groups of primary and chemoreduced retinoblastoma with prognostic significance. Differential expression of these markers in both group of retinoblastoma is a novel finding and might be an interesting and beneficial target for chemoresistant tumors.

Clinicopathological Findings of Retinoblastoma: A 10-Year Experience from a Tertiary Hospital in Kampala, Uganda

Background

Retinoblastoma (RB) is one of the most common cancers occurring in young children in sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence rate reported in the literature is 9,000 new cases per year, which corresponds to 1 in 15,000 births. This study aimed at analyzing the clinicopathological findings in children with RB in Uganda.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the clinicopathological findings in the patients with RB.

Design

This was a cross-sectional analytical study involving 234 eyeball surgical specimens from 214 patients with RB diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2015.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 27.8 months (SD = 21.413, range: 1–132 months). More than half of the cases, 50.9%, presented with leucokoria. Invasion of choroid, sclera, anterior chamber, and optic nerve was found in 26.5% (n = 58), 51.2% (n = 88), 26.2% (n = 45), and 29.2% (n = 49), respectively. Twenty-six percent (n = 56) of the cases with intraocular tumour were at stage I and all patients with metastasis 4.7% (n = 11) had stage IV. The correlation between postlaminar optic nerve invasion and massive choroidal invasion was statistically significant (P = 0.002). Also, there was a statistical significance difference between metastasis and postlaminar invasion (P = 0.004).

Conclusion

The majority of children with RB in Uganda present clinically with leucokoria, and their parents or guardians seek medical intervention at a later stage. Moreover, there was a noticeably significant lag period for the patients to begin treatment after the diagnosis was done.

Retinoblastoma for Pediatric Ophthalmologists

Retinoblastoma can present in 1 or both eyes and is the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood. It is typically initiated by biallelic mutation of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene, leading to malignant transformation of primitive retinal cells. The most common presentation is leukocoria, followed by strabismus. Heritable retinoblastoma accounts for 45% of all cases, with 80% being bilateral. Treatment and prognosis of retinoblastoma is dictated by the disease stage at initial presentation. The 8th Edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNMH (tumor, node, metastasis, heritable trait) staging system defines evidence-based clinical and pathological staging for overall prognosis for eye(s) and child. Multiple treatment options are available in 2018 for retinoblastoma management with a multidisciplinary team, including pediatric ocular oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, genetics, nursing, and social work. Survival exceeds 95% when disease is diagnosed early and treated in centers specializing in retinoblastoma. However, survival rates are less than 50% with extraocular tumor dissemination. We summarize the epidemiology, genetics, prenatal screening, diagnosis, classification, investigations, and current therapeutic options in the management of retinoblastoma.

9.4T and 17.6T MRI of Retinoblastoma: Ex Vivo evaluation of microstructural anatomy and disease extent compared with histopathology

BACKGROUND

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor in childhood with a good prognosis in terms of mortality, but detailed information about tumor morphology and disease extent in retinoblastoma is important for treatment decision making.

PURPOSE

To demonstrate ultrahigh-field MRI tumor morphology and tumor extent in retinoblastoma correlating with in and ex vivo images with histopathology.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective case series.

POPULATION

Six retinoblastoma patients (median age 5.5 months, range 2-14) were prospectively included in this study. Median time between diagnosis and enucleation was 8 days (range 7-19).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

In vivo pre-enucleation at 1.5T MRI with a circular surface coil. Ex vivo imaging (FLASH T₁ -weighted and RARE T₂ -weighted) was performed at field strengths of 9.4T and 17.6T.

ASSESSMENT

After ex vivo imaging, the eyes were histopathologically analyzed and morphologically matched with MRI findings by three authors (two with respectively 14 and 4 years of experience in ocular MRI and one with 16 years of experience in ophthalmopathology).

RESULTS

Small submillimeter morphological aspects of intraocular retinoblastoma were successfully depicted with higher-resolution MRI and matched with histopathology images. With ex vivo MRI a small subretinal tumor seed (300 μm) adjacent to the choroid was morphologically matched with histopathology. Also, a characteristic geographical pattern of vital tumor tissue (400 μm) surrounding a central vessel interspersed with necrotic areas correlated with histopathology images. Tumor invasion into the optic nerve showed a higher signal intensity on T₁ -weighted higher-resolution MRI.

DATA CONCLUSION

Higher-resolution MRI allows for small morphological aspects of intraocular retinoblastoma and extraocular disease extent not visible on currently used clinical in vivo MRI to be depicted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1487-1497.

The value of "en toto" globe submission in the assessment of high-risk retinoblastoma cases and staging

PURPOSE

To evaluate the importance of "en toto" globe submission in the assessment of high-risk pathological findings in retinoblastoma cases, aiming at identifying the additional value from full globe examination of enucleated eyes (including the calottes).

METHODS

Retrospective histopathological case series of eighty-one enucleated globes with the clinical diagnosis of retinoblastoma, histopathologically examined at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) between January 2010 and December 2013. We included retinoblastoma eyes with any type of invasion (more than pT1) in which the globe was submitted "en toto." All cases were histopathologically classified according to the American Joint Cancer Classification (AJCC TNM classification, 2009 6th edition).

RESULTS

81 enucleated globes were examined, out of which 30 globes were classified as high-risk cases (more than pT1). 8 cases had massive choroidal invasion in both the PO sections and calottes. 5 cases had focal choroidal invasion in both. One case has massive choroidal invasion in calottes with very superficial ON head invasion. Two cases were found to have focal choroidal invasion in the calottes with prelaminar ON invasion. In these three cases (10%), the presence of focal or massive choroidal invasion in the calottes has affected the classification.

CONCLUSIONS

This study consolidates the guidelines recommended in the consensus meeting: from the International Retinoblastoma Staging Working Group on the pathology guidelines for the examination and evaluation of prognostic risk factors in retinoblastoma eyes. Full globe submission and examination should be the routine accepted practice universally even in underdeveloped countries.

Risk definition and management strategies in retinoblastoma: current perspectives

This manuscript focuses on high-risk factors of metastatic disease in retinoblastoma and evaluation of the current treatments of retinoblastoma. Presence of histopathologic high-risk factors is associated with a higher risk of local recurrence and systemic metastasis. Currently, globe-sparing therapies, including systemic chemotherapy, intra-arterial chemoreduction, intravitreal chemotherapy, focal consolidation, and combination therapies, are being used and investigated actively. Major advances are being made in the diagnosis and management of retinoblastoma that will lead to improved morbidity and mortality rates in patients with retinoblastoma. By saving the globes, fronting with some high-risk factors for metastasis would be inevitable. International multi-institutional prospective studies could resolve current uncertainties regarding the main tumor treatment regimens for each patient and indications for chemoprophylaxis for high-risk-factor-bearing retinoblastoma cases.

Relevance of historical therapeutic approaches to the contemporary treatment of pediatric solid tumors

Children with solid tumors, most of which are malignant, have an excellent prognosis when treated on contemporary regimens. These regimens, which incorporate chemotherapeutic agents and treatment modalities used for many decades, have evolved to improve relapse-free survival and reduce long-term toxicity. This review discusses the evolution of the treatment regimens employed for management of the most common solid tumors, emphasizing the similarities between contemporary and historical regimens. These similarities allow the use of historical patient cohorts to identify the late effects of successful therapy and to evaluate remedial interventions for these adverse effects.

Diagnostic image quality of gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI with and without fat saturation in children with retinoblastoma

BACKGROUND

Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI without fat saturation has been recommended for assessment of retinoblastoma.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare diagnostic image quality without and with fat saturation following gadolinium administration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-resolution gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted sequences with and without fat saturation performed in children with subsequently histopathologically confirmed retinoblastoma were included. Image analysis (image quality [1 = poor, 2 = moderate, 3 = good], anatomical detail depiction, tumour extension) was performed by two neuroradiologists in consensus. Enhancement was scored and measured. Signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated. Image-assessed tumour invasiveness was compared to histopathological findings. Paired sample t-test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-six children (mean age, 19.0 ± 16.8 [SD] months) were included. Image quality and anatomical detail depiction were significantly better without fat saturation (P < 0.001). Tumour enhancement was rated higher with fat saturation (P < 0.001). Fat saturation improved detection of (post-)laminar optic nerve infiltration. Detection of choroidal invasion was improved without fat saturation. Combining both sequences was best in the assessment of tumour extension (sensitivity/specificity for (post-)laminar optic nerve infiltration, 75.0%/100.0%, and for choroidal invasion, 87.5%/85.7%).

CONCLUSION

Combined T1-weighted spin-echo imaging with and without fat saturation improved the image quality for assessment of invasiveness of retinoblastoma.

Differentiation in retinoblastoma and histopathological risk factors in Mexico

PURPOSE

To describe the relationship between retinoblastoma differentiation, histopathological risk factors, age at enucleation, laterality, and genetic type (hereditary or sporadic) in a series of enucleated eyes in a referral hospital. The criteria used in other studies to classify retinoblastoma differentiation are discussed.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively studied histopathological preparations of eyes with retinoblastoma treated with primary enucleation. Tumors were classified as well differentiated, undifferentiated, and moderately differentiated. Patient age at enucleation, laterality of disease, genetic form (hereditary or sporadic), and presence of histopathological risk factors (massive choroidal infiltration, postlaminar optic nerve invasion, tumor in optic nerve cut, scleral invasion, and involvement of orbital soft tissues) were analyzed. The chi-square test was used for categorical variables and analysis of variance for test mean differences.

RESULTS

Histopathological risk factors were present in 23 (36%) of 63 eyes. Moderately differentiated tumors occurred at advanced ages and were more frequently associated with histopathological risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

A consensus is needed to establish the histopathological criteria of retinoblastoma differentiation. The value of rosettes as a marker of cell differentiation should be reviewed.[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2013;50(3):174-177.].

Tissue factor regulates tumor angiogenesis of retinoblastoma via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

Retinoblastoma, a well-vascularized tumor that is dependent on a very robust angiogenic response, is the most common intraocular malignancy in children. Tissue factor (TF) is known to regulate tumor progression and in the present study we demonstrated that TF regulates tumor angiogenesis of retinoblastoma. In an orthotopic transplantation model of retinoblastoma, TF was selectively expressed in the proliferative area of retinoblastoma including tumor vessels as well as tumor cells, where TF expression was co-localized with endothelial cells of tumor vessels. TF expression progressively increased with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which was effectively inhibited by blockade of the TF pathway by TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI). In addition, FGF-2-induced angiogenic processes of migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells were also effectively suppressed by TFPI, which would be mediated by inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. Therefore, further to our previous report that TF is involved in tumor cell proliferation of retinoblastoma, our current data suggest that blockade of the TF pathway by TFPI could effectively inhibit tumor growth by suppressing tumor cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis at the same time.

Retinoblastoma major review with updates on Middle East management protocols

Many advances in the field of management of retinoblastoma emerged in the past few years. Patterns of presentation of retinoblastoma in the Middle East region differ from Western community. The use of enucleation as a radical method of eradicating advanced disease is not easily accepted by patient's family. We still do see stage E, failed or resistant retinoblastoma and advanced extraocular disease ensues as a result of delayed enucleation decision. In this review, we discuss updates in management of retinoblastoma with its implication on patients in our part of the world. Identifying clinical and high risk characteristics is important prognostically and are discussed for further management of retinoblastoma cases.

Clinical predictors of high risk histopathology in retinoblastoma

BACKGROUND

Previous studies show that clinical features at presentation, in retinoblastoma patients, like glaucoma and neovascularization of iris are associated with a higher incidence of high risk histopathology findings (HRF) in enucleated eyes. Herein, we analyze association between clinical features at time of enucleation and occurrence of HRF including invasion of anterior chamber, iris, ciliary body, choroid (massive), sclera, extrascleral tissue, optic nerve beyond lamina cribrosa, and optic nerve cut end, in a large series of eyes enucleated for retinoblastoma.

PROCEDURE

We retrospectively studied demographic, clinical, and histopathology findings in all retinoblastoma patients who underwent primary enucleation at our center, over a 5 years duration. Statistical analysis was done to find any association between clinical features at presentation and the presence of HRF.

RESULTS

Three hundred twenty-six eyes were studied. Median age of presentation was 2 years. Glaucoma was the most common clinical finding at presentation apart from leucocoria. Out of 326 enucleated eyes, 28 (8.6%) had extrascleral and/or optic nerve transection invasion. Among remaining 298 eyes, with completely resected tumor, 115 (38.6%) had massive choroidal invasion, 54 (17%) had retrolaminar optic nerve invasion, and 24 (7%), 29 (9%), and 23(7%) had anterior chamber, iris, and ciliary body invasion, respectively. Age more than 2 years, lag period more than 3 months, hyphema, pseudohypopyon, staphyloma, and orbital cellulitis were associated with occurrence of three or more HRF on univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical variables including older age, longer lag period, hyphema, pseudohypopyon, staphyloma, and orbital cellulitis were strongly associated with occurrence of HRF in this study.

A study of pathologic risk factors in postchemoreduced, enucleated specimens of advanced retinoblastomas in a developing country

CONTEXT

Advanced cases of retinoblastoma are treated with chemoreduction followed by enucleation. Further adjuvant therapy is recommended in patients with known pathologic risk factors (PRFs).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the PRFs in enucleated specimens after chemoreduction and their association for adverse events of recurrence, metastasis, or death.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study of 77 enucleation specimens from patients treated between January 2000 and September 2008 with prior chemoreduction that were accessioned in the pathology department of a tertiary referral cancer center with an average follow-up of 24 months. Various PRFs were noted and their association with the development of an adverse event was recorded.

RESULTS

Of 77 patients, (male to female ratio, 51∶26), the incidence of overall PRF was 51.9%, and retrolaminar optic nerve invasion (32.5%), optic nerve cut margin (12.9%), massive choroidal invasion (26%), scleral invasion (23.4%), vitreous seedings (44.2%), and anterior segment invasion (20.8%). Undifferentiated tumor (>60%) was seen in 60.3% of cases (41 of 68 patients with differentiation available). Adverse event occurred in 18 of 72 patients with available follow-up (25%). Retrolaminar optic nerve invasion, optic nerve cut margin involvement, and scleral invasion were independent prognostic factors predicting the occurrence of an adverse event. Undifferentiated tumor (>60%) was a significant risk factor in univariate analysis, which is the unique feature in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Classic PRF with the addition of a predominant presence from the undifferentiated component were associated with adverse outcomes in retinoblastoma treated with anterior chemotherapy. The latter may represent chemoresistant clones and more intensive adjuvant chemotherapy may be warranted in these patients.

Proceedings of the consensus meetings from the International Retinoblastoma Staging Working Group on the pathology guidelines for the examination of enucleated eyes and evaluation of prognostic risk factors in retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignant childhood tumor in need of prospective clinical trials to address important unanswered questions about biology, treatment, and prognostic factors. Currently, there is controversy about the definitions for choroidal invasion and an inconsistency in the handling of eyes with retinoblastoma. The International Retinoblastoma Staging Working Group (IRSWG) composed of 58 participants from 24 countries on 4 continents had a series of Internet meetings to discuss the staging and tissue handling guidelines to reach consensus for adequate processing, establishing definitions of histopathologic risk factors, and reporting of enucleated eyes with retinoblastoma to serve as the basis for clinical trials and studies to validate the proposed criteria. The meetings were facilitated by the International Outreach Program of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through Cure4Kids. The retinoblastoma guidelines from the Children's Oncology Group, the French Society for Pediatric Cancers, the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology, and some published data were the basis for this consensus document. Discussions of the feasibility, practicality, and efficacy of the guidelines and criteria resulted in this report. The consensus definitions reached included definition of massive choroidal invasion stated as a maximum diameter of invasive tumor focus of 3 mm or more that may reach the scleral tissue. Focal choroidal invasion is defined as a tumor focus of less than 3 mm and not reaching the sclera. Optic nerve invasion is classified as prelaminar, laminar, retrolaminar, or tumor at surgical margin, and the measurement of the depth of invasion should also be recorded. These guidelines also address handling of the enucleated eye with retinoblastoma in an efficient, practical, and feasible manner for a meaningful diagnosis. The consensus criteria reached by the IRSWG should be validated through prospective clinical trials and studies.

Prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of retinoblastoma in pediatric patients: a single-institution study

PURPOSE

Since 1997, our institute has used neoadjuvant chemotherapy for intraocular retinoblastoma. However, some of the patients showed signs of recurrence months to years later. We therefore attempted to determine the prognostic factors of treatment outcomes and survival in our patients.

METHODS

We reviewed 90 patients treated from 1997 to 2006. The following information was recorded: demographic and ophthalmological data, clinical classification, histopathological data, and treatment methods and outcomes.

RESULTS

Enucleation was avoided in two of 57 eyes in the unilateral group. Sixteen of 54 eyes in the bilateral group were salvaged by systemic chemotherapy with local treatment. There was no difference in histopathological findings between the two groups. Nine of 57 patients in the unilateral group demonstrated poor outcomes, compared with four of 27 in the bilateral group. Significant poor prognostic factors for survival were optic nerve head invasion, orbital involvement, abnormal results on bone marrow aspiration, lumbar puncture, bone scan, and group E or F classification.

CONCLUSIONS

The 15% mortality rate in our patients is slightly higher than that reported in developed countries. Delayed diagnosis and treatment is the main cause of avoidable deaths. Improving education of both clinicians and parents would increase survival rates in this potentially fatal disease.