Thermotherapy for Retinoblastoma

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

“…Duration and power varied so that a light gray-white appearance could be achieved at the end of the session. 2,12 The entire tumor was treated in a slow fashion over several minutes with adjustment of the power to reach a satisfactory appearance at end point. The only exception to treating the entire tumor was with macular tumors for which foveal-sparing thermotherapy was employed to minimize central vision loss.…”

Diagnosis and current management of retinoblastoma

“…Thermotherapy, or hyperthermia, consists of utilizing the cytoxic effect of heat by raising the temperature of the tumor to over 451, using infrared radiation from a diode laser (Shields et al, 1999). This method of treatment can be used alone for the treatment of small tumors, or in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.…”

Diagnosis and Management of Retinoblastoma

“…Heat has been found to have a synergistic effect with both chemotherapy and radiation therapy for the treatment of systemic and ocular cancers. 52 We employ thermotherapy as the main focal treatment to tumors following chemoreduction. The goal of this treatment is to heat the tumor to a gray-white scar.…”

“…In general, small tumors require approximately 300 mW of power for 10 minutes or less, and large tumors require up to 800 mW of power for 10 minutes, each delivered over three sessions at 1-month intervals. 52 Thermotherapy coupled with chemoreduction is especially suited for tumors adjacent to the fovea and optic nerve where radiation or laser photocoagulation would possibly induce more visual loss. It is a timeconsuming, tedious process that requires careful observations, recordings, judgments, and treatment of subtle tumor findings.…”