Retinoblastoma in Iraqi Children, the Experience of Children Welfare Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor affecting young children.

Patients and Methods: A review of 32 children with retinoblastoma, diagnosed and treated at the Oncology Unit, Children Welfare Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad from 1999 to 2006.

Objectives: To review the clinical presentation and treatment outcome of retinoblastoma in children treated at the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital, Baghdad.

Results: Among 32 patients, 56.25% were males and 43.75% were females with a median age of 34.5 months. Unilateral disease was observed in 19 patients. Leukocoria was the most common presenting feature. Advanced stages were predominant in half of the patients. Chemotherapy following eye enucleation was the mainstay of treatment. The disease-free survival was 23.33% while the mortality rate was 26.67%.

Conclusions: This single center study reported a poor outcome and a low disease-free survival due to high frequency of advanced stages and abandoning treatment by the parents.

Keywords: Retinoblastoma, children, outcome.