Chemoreduction for retinoblastoma. Analysis of tumor control and risks for recurrence in 457 tumors

Tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue in children with bilateral advanced retinoblastoma

“…Vitreous seeds and subretinal fluid at diagnosis are known to be associated with a high chemoreduction failure rate. 3,17,18 Because the vitreous cavity and subretinal space are relatively avascular, they may not have sufficient access to chemotherapeutic agents. Failure to control disease in children with bilateral retinoblastoma may lead to the need for EBRT.…”

Diagnosis and Management of Retinoblastoma

“…40 A more recent analysis of 457 consecutive retinoblastomas by our group has focused on individual tumor control with chemoreduction with or without focal tumor consolidation. 42 Those tumors treated with chemoreduction alone showed recurrence in 45% by 7 years of follow-up, whereas those treated with chemoreduction plus thermotherapy, cryotherapy, or both showed recurrence in only 22% by 7 years (Table 7). This suggests that tumor consolidation following chemoreduction is the best approach to prevent ultimate recurrence.…”

Retinoblastoma epidemiology: Does the evidence matter?

“…It is not by chance, given this situation, that the most important advances in retinoblastoma, have been realised in the field of the clinical diagnosis and treatment, 84 with no substantial contribution of the genetic investigations and speculations. 85,86 There might be several explanations for this curious phenomenon, including the interests of scientific/academic lobbies, and those of the major drug companies who presently are the main funding resource of genetic research, worldwide, with the consequent hunt for grants in search of the genetic causes of cancer.…”