Klinische Pädiatrie
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Klinische Pädiatrie · Jul 1997
Clinical TrialPreliminary results of primary chemotherapy in retinoblastoma.
Eye retention rates after external beam therapy for advanced retinoblastoma are close to 90% with very few ocular side effects like radiation retinopathy or radiation induced optic neuropathy. Late complications, however, comprise a sixfold increase of secondary non-ocular cancers like soft tissue sarcomas demanding alternative treatment options in the management of advanced retinoblastoma. ⋯ Based on the results of this study and on the results published by others primary chemotherapy may result in the same eye retention rate as conventional external beam therapy avoiding the unacceptable high rate of secondary non-ocular cancers in the latter. A prospective study to be undertaken by the GPOH (Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Onkologie und Hämatologie) and the RG (Retinologische Gesellschaft) is planned to further evaluate this new and promising approach.