Intra Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC)- Advantages and pitfalls

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is a blinding malignancy of the childhood, it is curable when diagnosed early and treated properly, but retinoblastoma is dismal when the basic elements in diagnosis and treatment are lacking. Survival and ocular prognosis mirrors economic development of the countries. Eighty percent of retinoblastoma affects children in the developing countries. The complexity of the required multi-disciplinory approach makes treatment difficult in the developing countries. We have set up an example of a retinoblastoma treatment center that caters for early diagnosis, systemic chemotherapy, intra arterial chemotherapy, intra vitreal chemotherapy, focal laser ablasion and long term follow up assisted with retinal camera. A brief account is given in this editorial