Clinical Features and Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with Retinoblastoma in Turkish Children Older Than 5 Years of Age

Abstract

Purpose. The diagnosis and management of retinoblastoma can be difficult in older children. This study reports the clinical features and long-term outcomes of such patients in a Turkish patient population. Methods. Medical records of 18 patients, between January 1992 and December 2017, were reviewed retrospectively. Results. Of 298 consecutive patients with retinoblastoma, 18 (6%) were at the age of 5 years and older. The median age at diagnosis was 9 years (range, 5-18 years). Misdiagnosis was noted in 8 patients (44.4%). Treatment options included enucleation in 16 patients (88.8%), adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in 3 (16.6%), intra-arterial chemotherapy in one (5.5%), and additional orbital irradiation in one (5.5%). After a median follow-up of 97 months (range, 6-252 months), all patients survived without any recurrence. Conclusions. Our series showed that 6% of patients with retinoblastoma were 5 years of age and older. Over a 15-year period, ocular salvage rate of 11.2% and survival rate of 100% were attained.