Analysis of treatment results in 36 children with retinoblastoma treated by scleral plaque irradiation.

This is a retrospective analysis of treatment results in 36 patients with retinoblastoma treated by the Radiation Oncology Department of Hahnemann University Hospital and the Division of Oncology of Wills Eye Hospital between January 1975 and December 1986. There were 14 females and 22 males; ages ranged from 2 months to 4 1/2 years of age at presentation. Leukocoria was the most common clinical sign of presentation. These patients were treated with external beam radiation therapy in combination with scleral plaque irradiation in 20 patients and with scleral plaque alone in 16 patients. Cobalt-60, Iodine-125, Iridium-192, and Ruthenium-106, scleral plaques were used. The dose delivered to the mid plane of the globe was 40 Gy and the scleral dose adjacent to the plaque was in the range of 180-200 Gy. The treatment was successful in 30 of 36 patients. Complications of radiation therapy were minimal in patients treated by scleral plaque alone. The advantages of this treatment modality are discussed.