Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology 2024;49(2):106-114

A comparison of retinoblastoma cases in the Philippines

Roland Joseph D. Tan 1 ; Gary John V. Mercado 2 ; Patricia E. Cabrera 3 ; Paulita Pamela P. Astudillo 4 ; Rolando Enrique D. Domingo 5 ; Josept Mari S. Poblete 5 ; Charmaine Grace M. Cabebe 6 ; Adriel Vincent R. Te 6 ; Melissa Anne S. Gonzales 6 ; Jocelyn G. Sy 6 ; Beltran Alexis A. Aclan 7 ; Jayson T. So 7 ; Fatima G. Regala 7 ; Kimberley Amanda K. Comia 8 ; Josemaria M. Castro 8 ; Mara Augustine S. Galang 8 ; Aldous Dominic C. Cabanlas 9 ; Benedicto Juan E. Aguilar 9 ; Gabrielle S. Evangelista 9 ; John Michael Maniwan 10 ; Andrei P. Martin 10 ; Calvin Y. Martinez 11 ; John Alfred A. Lim 11 ; Rena Ivy Bascuna 12 ; Rachel M. Ng 12 ; Kevin B. Agsaoay 13 ; Kris Zana A. Arao 13 ; Ellaine Rose V. Apostol 14 ; Beatriz M. Prieto 7

Affiliations

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Keywords

Clinical Profile; Outcomes

Country

Philippines

Language

English

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the demographics, clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes of retinoblastoma patients seen at medical institutions in the Philippines between two time periods: 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to 2020.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, analytical, cohort study using review of medical charts and databases of retinoblastoma patients seen in 11 medical institutions from 2010 to 2020.

RESULTS

There were 636 patients (821 eyes) included in this study: 330 patients were seen in 2010 to 2015 while 306 in 2016 to 2020. More cases per annum were seen in the latter timeline. The number of patients with unilateral disease was not significantly different between the two time periods (p=0.51). Age at onset of symptom, age at initial consultation, and delay in consult were also not significantly different between the two time periods (p > 0.05). Patients had significantly different distributions of intraocular grades (p < 0.0001) and systemic staging (p < 0.0001) between the two time periods. Enucleation was the most common surgical treatment performed in both timelines. There was significant difference in the status of patients based on the need for systemic chemotherapy (p < 0.01). There was significant difference in outcome between the two time periods, including the proportions of living and deceased patients.

CONCLUSION

This study compared the most comprehensive data on retinoblastoma patients in the country. There was no improvement in early health seeking behavior based on similar age at initial consult and delay in consult. Enucleation remained the most common treatment mode as opposed to chemotherapy due to similar percentage of patients with unilateral disease, an indication for enucleation rather than chemotherapy.