Clinical outcome and regression patterns of retinoblastoma treated with systemic chemoreduction and focal therapy: A prospective study

PURPOSE: To prospectively study the clinical outcome and regression patterns of early retinoblastoma (Groups A and B) after systemic chemotherapy and focal consolidation in Indian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group A eyes were treated with focal therapy (transpupillary thermotherapy/cryotherapy) and Group B with systemic chemoreduction and focal therapy. Outcome measures were efficacy and safety of treatment, risk factors for treatment failure, regression patterns, and factors predictive of regression patterns. RESULTS: Of 119 eyes (216 tumors), 14 (11.8%) were Group A and 105 (88.2%) were Group B eyes. The mean follow-up was 22.6 months. Tumor control was achieved in 111/119 eyes (93.3% overall, 100% Group A, 92.4% Group B). Eight Group B eyes (6.7%) had treatment failure. No serious systemic side-effects were noted. Risk factors for failure included larger tumors (P = 0.001) and proximity to posterior pole (P = 0.014). Regression patterns were Type 4 (50.2%), Type 3 (31.7%), Type 1 (11.1%), and Type 2 (7%). Factors predictive of Type 4 regression were smaller tumors, anterior location, younger age; Type 3 regression was associated with larger tumors, macular location, and older age. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic chemoreduction and focal therapy provided effective tumor control in Indian children. Factors predictive of regression patterns included age, tumor size and its location, and the modality of treatment.