Retinoblastoma in Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to determine the incidence, pattern, and problems of management of retinoblastoma at the Guinness Eye Center, Onitsha, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Case files of all patients with histology-proven retinoblastoma between October 2012 and September 2017 were reviewed. Information obtained included age, sex, disease duration, presenting features, and treatment. Results: There were 31 patients, 14 males (45.2%) and 17 females (54.8%), who had the disease in 38 eyes; age range was 5 months to 6 years; and median was 2.4 years. Disease duration was 3 weeks to 3 years and median was 8.8 months. Seven patients (22.6%) had bilateral disease, 11 (35.5%) had the disease only in the right eye, whereas 13 (41.9%) had the disease in the left eye; 32 (84.2%) eyes had no visual potential at presentation. The most common clinical features were leukocoria in 23 (60.5%) eyes and proptosis in 20 (52.6%). While all patients with advanced disease had enucleation or modified exenteration, only 15 (48.4%) accepted chemotherapy with two completing the full course and five not returning after the first course. Five (16.1%) had distant metastasis, namely, brain 2 (6.5%) and orbit, jaw, and skull 1 (3.2%) each. Conclusions: Retinoblastoma is seen at the Guinness Eye Center at the rate of about one case in 2 months. Most patients present late with proptosis and, in some cases, fungating necrotic tumor mass with distant metastases. There is a high default rate with treatment as only two patients completed the full course of chemotherapy.