Retinoblastoma: correlation between age at diagnosis and survival.

Life tables analyses were performed from the records of 1147 patients seen between 1958 and 1983 to determine correlation between age at diagnosis and survival from metastatic retinoblastoma. No difference was noted overall in survival from metastatic retinoblastoma for unilateral vs. bilateral, male vs female, or family history vs negative family history. Survival rate of 21 of 40 patients diagnosed after age 7 and receiving no treatment was 96%. Two patients in this group did develop metastasis: one because of late diagnosis and one because treatment was refused. One patient with an "arrested retinoblastoma" showed growth in his third decade, necessitating treatment. Survival was poorest in patients diagnosed between ages two and seven years where mortality was 19% from metastatic retinoblastoma. Patients diagnosed between birth and two years had an intermediate survival of 95%. Because of second nonocular tumors, survival of the patient with unilateral retinoblastoma was significantly better than that of the bilaterally affected child.