Outcome of intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma and its influencing factors: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has become an essential technique for the treatment of advanced and relapsed intra-ocular retinoblastoma. The outcome of IAC for retinoblastoma is influenced by a variety of medical and non-medical factors. In this study, we aimed to examine the outcome of IAC and determine the factors influencing clinical outcome.

METHODS: A total of 107 eyes of 73 patients with retinoblastoma undergoing IAC between January 2011 and April 2013 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical outcomes. The factors influencing clinical outcomes were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS: After IAC, an overall globe salvage rate of 78.5% was observed during follow-up periods. Specifically, globe salvage was achieved in Group B (100%), Group C (100%), Group D (78.6%), and Group E (62%). Short-term ocular adverse events included eyelid oedema (14%), bulbar conjunctiva congestion (29.9%) and excessive tearing (9.3%). Long-term complications included vitreous haemorrhage (8.4%), subretinal haemorrhage (9.3%), retinal vasculopathy (7.5%) and ophthalmic artery spasm with reperfusion (4.7%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the globe salvage of IAC was significantly associated with tumour staging and previous treatment (p < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) is safe and effective for the management of retinoblastoma. Patients with advanced retinoblastoma and previous failed treatment may have a poor outcome after IAC.