External beam radiation therapy and retinoblastoma: long-term results in the comparison of two techniques. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • PURPOSE: This study compares the long-term actuarial local control, eye conservation rate, survival, and ocular complications in children with retinoblastoma treated with two different external beam treatment techniques. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 1979-1991, 182 eyes in 123 children (104 bilateral) received primary external beam radiation therapy. An anterior lens-sparing electron beam technique delivering 38 to 50 Gy in 2.5 Gy fractions was used in 67 eyes from 1979-1984 and a modified lateral beam technique, delivering 42 to 46 Gy in 2 Gy fractions, was used in 113 eyes from 1984-1991. These groups were balanced with respect to known prognostic variables. RESULTS: For Group I-III eyes, the 5- and 8-year local control was significantly improved using the modified lateral beam technique (84%) compared to (38%) using the anterior lens sparing technique (p < or = 0.0001). For Group IV-V eyes, the 5- and 8-year local control rates were not statistically different, despite a trend favoring the modified lateral beam technique. Survival endpoints including eye survival (no enucleation), cause-specific survival, and overall survival comparing the two treatment techniques were not significantly different. Overall, 22% of eyes developed cataracts. There was no difference between the two treatment groups in terms of cataract development. No eyes required enucleation for ocular complications. CONCLUSION: There is a significant improvement in local control using the modified lateral beam technique compared to an anterior lens-sparing approach for Group I-III eyes. However, there was no difference in survival end points between the two treatment techniques. The incidence of ocular complications using these two external beam techniques is acceptable.

publication date

  • April 1, 1996

Research

keywords

  • Eye Neoplasms
  • Retinoblastoma

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0029984466

PubMed ID

  • 8641925

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 35

issue

  • 1