ISSN 0886-3067

Volume No 33 Issue No 4

Local Chemotherapy for Retinoblastoma

The new treatment modalities of retinoblastoma have been very effective in saving the vision, salvaging the globe and improving the life expectancy of patients. The treatment options include chemotherapy, that can be intravenous chemotherapy, periocular chemotherapy, intravitreal chemotherapy and intra-arterial chemotherapy, and local modalities i.e. transpupillary thermotherapy, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, radiation treatment using plaque brachytherapy or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). The most common intravenous chemotherapy drugs are carboplatin, vincristine, and etoposide. The drugs for periocular chemotherapy are Topotecan and carboplatin. For intravitreal chemotherapy the most commonly used drugs are methotrexate, topotecan and melphalan. For intra-arterial chemotherapy drugs used are melphalan, topotecan and rarely carboplatin. The treatment options can be used as single treatment or as adjuvant to consolidate treatment, depending upon the stage of disease. Advanced stages of disease and orbital involvement have poor prognosis. Key words: Retinoblastoma, Chemotherapy, Treatment.