Vitreous relapse common in eyes with retinoblastoma

Article

Vitreous relapse common in eyes with retinoblastoma

One in seven eyes with retinoblastoma treated with primary chemotherapy are likely to develop vitreous relapse, according to the results of a study published in May 2006 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Paul Cauchi from St Bartholomew's Hospital, UK and fellow researchers from Queen Mary, University of London and Bart's and The London NHS Trust, UK carried out a retrospective review of patients treated with primary chemotherapy at a large oncology centre. All eyes that developed vitreous relapse were coded using the Reese-Ellworth Group for laterality, time to relapse, type of relapse, treatment modalities and ocular preservation. Any tumour foci that had been treated with laser hyperthermia were also coded for laser parameters such as power settings, number of treatments and concomitant administration of systemic chemotherapy.

Over a six-year period, 15 of 106 eyes developed vitreous relapse; mean time to relapse after chemotherapy was 7.2 months. In 11 cases, ocular salvage was attempted, one patient was lost to follow-up and of the remaining ten, six eyes were salvaged. Of those treated with chemotherapy and laser hyperthermia, 21% developed vitreous relapse as opposed to just 10% of those only treated with chemotherapy.

The researchers results suggest that nearly one in seven eyes with retinoblastoma treated with primary chemotherapy will develop vitreous relapse. This risk is increased with the use of laser hyperthermia.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
Christine Curcio, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, shares histology update and revised nomenclature for OCT with Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network and Ophthalmology Times
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, shares key points from his retina presentation at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium
Robert Sergott, MD, describes fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and the International SPECTRALIS Symposium – And Beyond (ISS) in Heidelberg, Germany.
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, spoke with Ophthalmology Times Europe about his presentation. It's titled "An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma" at the International SPECTRALIS Sympsoium. In conversation with Hattie Hayes, Ophthalmology Times Europe
Anat Loewenstein, MD, describes her presentation on remote imaging for age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium, in conversation with Hattie Hayes of Ophthalmology Times Europe
Tyson Brunstetter, OD, PhD, a US Navy Aerospace Optometrist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, shares key takeaways from his keynote at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium (ISS)
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, shares his presentation, titled An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma, at this year's International SPECTRALIS Symposium
At the Retina World Congress, Siegfried Priglinger, MD, speaks about ensuring the best outcomes for preschool-aged patients
At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Robert Ang, MD said small aperture IOLs can benefit all patients, especially those with complex corneas or who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.