Retinoblastoma Survival Following Primary Enucleation by AJCC Staging

Three vs 6 Cycles of Chemotherapy for High-Risk Retinoblastoma: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Adjuvant therapy is an important and effective treatment for retinoblastoma. However, there is a lack of head-to-head clinical trials comparing 3 vs 6 cycles of CEV chemotherapy (carboplatin, etoposide, and vincristine) for enucleated unilateral retinoblastoma with high-risk pathological features.

Objective

To assess whether 3 cycles of CEV chemotherapy is noninferior to 6 cycles for enucleated unilateral retinoblastoma with high-risk pathological features.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This double-center, randomized, open-label, noninferiority trial was conducted at 2 premier eye centers in China and included 187 patients who had undergone enucleation for unilateral retinoblastoma with high-risk pathological features (massive choroidal infiltration, retrolaminar optic nerve invasion, or scleral infiltration) between August 2013 and March 2024. The final date of follow-up was March 21, 2024.

Interventions

Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 3 (n = 94) or 6 (n = 93) cycles of CEV chemotherapy regimen after enucleation.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was disease-free survival, with a noninferiority margin of 12%. Secondary end points encompassed overall survival, safety, economic burden, and the quality of life of children.

Results

All 187 patients (median [IQR] age, 25.0 [20.0-37.0] months; 83 [44.4%] female) completed the trial. Median (IQR) follow-up was 79.0 (65.5-102.5) months. Five-year disease-free survival was 90.4% for the 3-cycle group vs 89.2% for the 6-cycle group (difference, 1.2% [95% CI, -7.5% to 9.8%]), which met the noninferiority criterion (P = .003 for noninferiority). The 6-cycle group experienced a higher frequency of adverse events, greater reduction in quality of life scores, and increased costs compared with the 3-cycle group.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients with unilateral pathologic high-risk retinoblastoma, 3 cycles of CEV chemotherapy resulted in 5-year disease-free survival that was noninferior to 6 cycles of CEV chemotherapy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01906814.

Outcomes of five cases of retinoblastoma with optic nerve invasion on imaging

PURPOSE

To investigate the timing of enucleation, treatment course, and outcome for retinoblastoma (RB) with optic nerve (ON) invasion on imaging.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

METHODS

Of the 160 patients with RB who presented to the National Center for Child Health and Development in Japan between 2005 and 2022, ON invasion on imaging at the initial presentation was seen in five patients. The clinical, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and treatment courses were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

MRI showed ON invasion in all five patients (three with unilateral RB, 2 with bilateral RB); in two patients CT detected no invasion. Enucleation was performed in four patients, three of whom underwent neoadjuvant therapy and one had a positive ON resection margin following the enucleation as initial treatment. One patient did not undergo enucleation due to cerebrospinal fluid dissemination. All enucleated patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. Four patients underwent radiotherapy. During follow-up (mean, 89.4 months), four patients survived and one died.

CONCLUSION

MRI is recommended to evaluate ON invasion and determine the timing of enucleation for RB. The appropriate choice of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy would be helpful to avoid radiotherapy for RB with ON invasion on imaging.

Retinoblastoma Outcomes Based on the 8th Edition American Joint Committee on Cancer Pathological Classification in 1411 Patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of retinoblastoma (RB) based on the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) pathological classification in a global cohort of patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective, multicenter, intercontinental, collaborative study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1411 patients.

INTERVENTION

Primary enucleation with or without adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Orbital tumor recurrence, tumor-related metastasis, and tumor-related death.

RESULTS

According to the 8th edition AJCC pathological classification, 645 eyes (46%) belonged to pathological T (pT)1, 164 (11%) to pT2, 493 (35%) to pT3, and 109 (8%) to pT4 categories. At a mean follow-up of 38 months (median, 35 months; < 1-149 months), orbital tumor recurrence was seen in 8 (1%), 5 (3%), 22 (4%), and 25 (23%) of pT1, pT2, pT3, and pT4 (P < 0.001) categories, respectively; tumor-related metastasis was seen in 7 (1%), 5 (3%), 40 (8%), and 46 (43%) of pT1, pT2, pT3, and pT4 (P < 0.001) categories, respectively; tumor-related death was seen in 12 (2%), 7 (4%), 64 (13%), and 64 (59%) of pT1, pT2, pT3, and pT4 (P < 0.001) categories, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis of outcomes revealed pT category and adjuvant therapy as independent predictors of outcomes. Categories pT3b (P = 0.005), pT3c (P < 0.001), pT3d (P < 0.001), and pT4 (P < 0.001) had a greater hazard for orbital recurrence; categories pT2a (P = 0.015), pT3a (P < 0.001), pT3b (P < 0.001), pT3c (P < 0.001), pT3d (P < 0.001), and pT4 (P < 0.001) had a greater hazard for tumor-related metastasis; and categories pT2a (P = 0.068), pT2b (P = 0.004), pT3a (P < 0.001), pT3b (P < 0.001), pT3c (P < 0.001), pT3d (P < 0.001), and pT4 (P < 0.001) had a greater hazard for tumor-related death when compared with the pT1 category. Patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy had greater hazards of orbital tumor recurrence in categories pT3b (P = 0.005), pT3c (P = 0.003), and pT4 (P = 0.002); greater hazards of tumor-related metastasis in categories pT3a (P = 0.001), pT3b (P = 0.01), pT3c (P = 0.001), and pT4 (P = 0.007); and tumor-related death in categories pT3a (P < 0.001), pT3b (P = 0.009), pT3c (P = 0.018), and pT4 (P < 0.001) when compared with those who received adjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The 8th edition AJCC pathological classification predicts outcomes in patients undergoing primary enucleation for RB, and adjuvant therapy is associated with a lower risk of orbital recurrence, tumor-related metastasis, and tumor-related death in the pT3 and pT4 categories.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Multimodal imaging for the differential diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of intraocular retinoblastoma in children with selective ophthalmic artery infusion

Background

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common malignant tumor in children under the age of 3 years and is associated with a high disability and mortality rate. The aim of this study was, first, to evaluate the clinical efficacy of multimodal imaging in differentially diagnosing RB in children and in predicting the efficacy of selective ophthalmic artery infusion (SOAI) and, second, to identify the factors associated with this efficacy.

Methods

This study retrospectively collected the data from 256 children with unilateral RB and intraocular involvement, including multimodal imaging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and clinical characteristics. Among the cases, 33 with both CT and MRI data available were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing RB, with histopathological results serving as the gold standard. Additionally, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the MRI and clinical characteristics of 256 cases of unilateral RB with intraocular involvement before SOAI treatment. The predictive ability of imaging features and clinical characteristics for the treatment efficacy of children was analyzed, and the differences in globe salvage rates and visual preservation based on different tumor stages were evaluated.

Results

The diagnostic accuracy of CT imaging for RB was 96.96% while that of MRI was 84.84%, with both showing high consistency with the histopathological results. CT images demonstrated a posterior intraocular mass with a high-density appearance, with spots, patches, or clustered calcifications visible within the tumor. The CT values were mostly above 100 Hounsfield units (HU), and enhanced scanning showed varying degrees of enhancement in noncalcified masses. MRI showed low or moderate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and moderate-to-high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, with significant enhancement after contrast administration. Tumors with more calcifications showed long T1 and short T2 signals. Patients with better prognosis had a higher delta signal increase (ΔSI), a greater distance from the optic disc, smaller tumor diameter, absence of implantation nodules or smaller implantation range, endogenous growth pattern, smaller extent of retinal detachment, absence of clinical high-risk factors, no vitreous hemorrhage, no globe shrinkage, and smaller calcification volume. The distance between the tumor and optic disc, clinical high-risk factors, and tumor growth pattern were found to be independent factors associated with prognosis. The rate of successful globe salvage and visual acuity decreased with increasing tumor stage.

Conclusions

CT and MRI are highly valuable for the comprehensive assessment of tumors in pediatric RB. MRI alone can complete a comprehensive assessment of patients with RB and thus allow for the reduction radiation dose in children. Calcification of the tumor is crucial for diagnosis, and imaging findings can serve to inform patient prognosis and treatment planning. The distance between the tumor and optic disc, clinical high-risk factors, and tumor growth pattern are closely related to the prognosis of children.

Amniotic Membrane Augmentation for Enucleation After Chemotherapy in Retinoblastoma

PURPOSE

To describe amniotic membrane augmentation for enucleation after chemotherapy in retinoblastoma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients with retinoblastoma who underwent enucleation. The study also evaluated the utility of amniotic membrane grafting in enucleation after chemotherapy in eyes with retinoblastoma.

RESULTS

In this study, 110 eyes of 107 patients were analyzed, and 49 patients had previous systemic chemotherapy, 13 eyes had previous intra-arterial chemotherapy, and 7 eyes had external beam radiation. Amniotic graft was used in 8 eyes (5 following IAC, 2 following systemic chemotherapy, and 1 after both). After IAC, 3 of 7 eyes without amniotic graft had implant exposure compared to 0 of 6 eyes with amniotic graft (P = .05). Pathological examination of the conjunctiva after intra-arterial chemotherapy showed goblet cell hypoplasia that hinders wound healing.

CONCLUSIONS

Amniotic membrane augmentation improves wound integrity in patients with retinoblastoma, especially following intra-arterial chemotherapy. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(4):291-295.].

Anophthalmic socket in retinoblastoma: Exploring complications and risk factors in a tertiary centre in Malaysia

PURPOSE

To evaluate the complications of anophthalmic socket in retinoblastoma patients at a tertiary centre in Malaysia.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

Patients who underwent enucleation for retinoblastoma were reviewed from 2004-2020. Details were recorded, including demographics, diagnosis, surgical techniques, implant types, additional therapies, and complications.

RESULTS

Of 250 patients with retinoblastoma managed over the period, the anophthalmic sockets of 160 eyes who underwent enucleation were analysed. The mean age at enucleation was 2.03 years (26 days to 9.18 years). The follow-up periods after enucleation range from 5 days to 16.83 years. Porous polyethylene (Medpor) implants were used in 135 patients (84.4%), as were Bioceramic in 9, glass balls in 7, acrylic in 7, dermis fat grafts in 1, and silicone implants (Aurosphere) in 1. The overall complications in our study were 28.8%. Complications seen in the study included implant exposure (12.5%), shallow inferior fornix (10.6%), granuloma formation (3.1%), discharge (2.5%), implant migration (1.9%), ptosis (0.6%), and orbital dystopia (0.6%). Implant exposure is solely found in Medpor, more common in those with donor sclera caps, and exposure times range from 28 days to 11.42 years. The suturing of the Tenon and conjunctiva in separate layers significantly reduced the rate of implant exposure. Six out of seven radiation patients had shallow inferior fornixes.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term post-enucleation complications were not uncommon. Luckily, most had good outcomes, with a few needing surgical intervention. Meticulous suturing technique on the Tenon and conjunctival layer is essential to prevent implant exposure.

The Impact of Tumor Laterality (Unilateral vs. Bilateral) on Presentation and Management Outcome in Patients with Retinoblastoma

Background: This study compares the outcomes of managing retinoblastoma between patients with unilateral and bilateral presentations. Methods: The study, conducted at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan, retrospectively analyzed cases of retinoblastoma treated between March 2003 and December 2019. Evaluation criteria included clinical features, disease stage, treatment methods, and overall management outcomes. Results: The study comprised 697 eyes from 478 patients with retinoblastoma, with 52% being males. Bilateral disease was observed in 70% of patients, and a family history of retinoblastoma was more prevalent in cases with bilateral disease (20%) compared to those with unilateral disease (4%). Unilateral cases had a median age at diagnosis of 28 months, whereas bilateral cases were diagnosed at a median age of 6 months. Extra-ocular retinoblastoma was detected in 1% of eyes. According to the International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification (IIRC), 88% of unilateral cases presented with advanced disease (IIRC group D/E), compared to 46% in bilateral cases. Primary enucleation was performed in 29% of unilateral cases and 16% of bilateral cases (p-value 0.0007). Eye salvage rates were 31% in unilateral cases and 68% in bilateral cases (p-value < 0.0001). At 120 months of follow-up, 5% of patients died from secondary neoplasms or metastases, 81% were alive, and 14% were lost to follow-up. There was no significant difference in metastasis, secondary neoplasms, or mortality between patients with unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma. Conclusions: This study highlights the nuanced differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes between unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma, emphasizing the necessity of customized management and early detection strategies. It demonstrates that while bilateral retinoblastoma benefits from earlier detection and has a higher rate of eye salvage, there is no significant difference in metastasis or mortality rates when compared to unilateral cases. The critical roles of primary enucleation in advanced cases, along with effective communication and patient education, are also underscored to improve treatment adherence. Overall, these findings point to the importance of tailored approaches in optimizing outcomes for the diverse patient population affected by retinoblastoma.