Tumor Control and Visual Acuity Outcomes in Vitreoretinal Lymphoma with and without Sub–Retinal Pigment Epithelium Infiltration: Analysis of 125 Eyes of 70 Patients at a Single Ocular Oncology Center

Abstract

To investigate outcomes in vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) presenting with or without sub-retinal pigment epithelial (sub-RPE) infiltration. Retrospective, comparative analysis. Patients with VRL at a single center from January 1, 1984, through July 30,2018. Record review was conducted for clinical features, treatments, and outcomes of tumor control, visual acuity (VA), and death. Ocular tumor control and VA outcome. The study involved 168 eyes of 95 patients with VRL, of which 45 (27%) eyes of 32 patients had sub-RPE infiltration. Comparison (of patients with vs. without sub-RPE infiltration) showed similar presenting features of mean patient age (65 vs. 68 years, P= 0.30), percentage of males (53% vs. 56%, P= 0.83), white race (84% vs. 87%, P= 0.77), bilateral ocular involvement (78% vs. 75%, P= 0.80), and VA of 20/40 or better (40% vs. 50%, P= 0.30), 20/50 to 20/200 (42% vs. 31%, P= 0.20), or worse than 20/200 (18% vs. 19%, P= 0.99). Lymphoma subtype was diffuse large B cell (59% vs. 52%) or unspecified (41% vs. 44%, P= 0.85). Follow-up data were available for 125 eyes of 70 patients. Overall treatment included systemic chemotherapy (53% vs. 64%, P= 0.29), intravitreal chemotherapy (59% vs. 28%, P= 0.005), and external beam radiotherapy (59% vs. 94%, P < 0.001). Initial ocular tumor control occurred (91% vs. 94%, P= 0.68) with subsequent recurrence (35% vs. 17%, P= 0.07). Outcomes at final follow-up (mean 24 vs. 25 months, P= 0.82) revealed ocular tumor complete regression (68% vs. 86%, P= 0.03), partial regression (3% vs. 7%, P= 0.44), or active persistent or recurrent disease (29% vs. 7%, P= 0.002). Final VA was 20/40 or better (39% vs. 53%, P= 0.18), 20/50 to 20/200 (26% vs. 34%, P= 0.53), or worse than 20/200 (34% vs. 13%, P= 0.007). Vitreoretinal lymphoma was associated with central nervous system lymphoma (41% vs. 59%, P= 0.13) or systemic lymphoma (16% vs. 21%, P= 0.60). Death occurred (63% vs. 54%, P= 0.51) at mean age (69 vs. 69 years, P= 0.94). Sub-RPE infiltration in VRL is associated with more persistent or recurrent ocular tumor and poorer VA outcome, but no difference in frequency of central nervous system/systemic lymphoma or death. Further studies are required to determine whether earlier, more aggressive, or prolonged ocular therapy for patients with VRL presenting with sub-RPE infiltration could improve these factors.