A 10-year retrospective study of retinoblastoma in 2 regional hospitals in Hong Kong

Abstract

Aim: To describe the clinical features and treatment out- comes for retinoblastoma in 2 regional hospitals in Hong Kong.

Patients and methods: The clinical records and histo- pathologic reports of patients with retinoblastoma at the Queen Mary Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hong Kong from 1996 to 2005 were studied retrospectively.

Results: Eight eyes of 8 patients with retinoblastoma were reviewed. There were 5 boys (62.5%) and 3 girls (37.5%). The mean age at presentation was 16.6 months (range, 8-25 months). Data for staging, histopathology, and orbital implant were missing for 1 patient. Of the remaining 7 patients, 7 (100%) presented with Reese- Ellsworth stage V disease; 1 (14%) had optic nerve invasion and choroidal invasion; 7 (100%) had clear margins at the optic nerve resection ending; and 0 (0%) had scleral or extraocular invasion. All patients (100%) underwent enucleation. No patients received chemo- therapy or radiotherapy. There was a 100% 5-year survi- val rate, 0% recurrence rate, and no patients developed secondary tumor.

Conclusion: Retinoblastoma is rare in Hong Kong. Most patients have unilateral involvement and present late in the course of the disease. Enucleation remains the treat- ment of choice for advanced retinoblastoma with poor visual potential. The prognosis is excellent in terms of 5-year survival and recurrence rates for patients without extraocular extension.