OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to describe results of a new treatment for retinoblastoma vitreous base seeding. DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective review of patients treated at an ocular oncology referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Five eyes of five patients with vitreous base seeding that occurred after previous external beam radiation therapy were treated between October 1987 and December 1994. INTERVENTION: A customized plaque made from iridium-192/platinum wire was placed to deliver 4000 cGy to the tumor apex along its entire length and systemic chemotherapy (consisting of carboplatin, vincristine, and etoposide) was given. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Eye preservation and tumor control were measured. RESULTS: Vitreous base seeding was controlled completely and the eye preserved in four of the five treated eyes with an average follow-up of 26.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a customized iridium-192 plaque and systemic chemotherapy is an effective means of treating vitreous base seeding of retinoblastoma.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to describe results of a new treatment for retinoblastoma vitreous base seeding. DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective review of patients treated at an ocular oncology referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Five eyes of five patients with vitreous base seeding that occurred after previous external beam radiation therapy were treated between October 1987 and December 1994. INTERVENTION: A customized plaque made from iridium-192/platinum wire was placed to deliver 4000 cGy to the tumor apex along its entire length and systemic chemotherapy (consisting of carboplatin, vincristine, and etoposide) was given. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Eye preservation and tumor control were measured. RESULTS: Vitreous base seeding was controlled completely and the eye preserved in four of the five treated eyes with an average follow-up of 26.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a customized iridium-192 plaque and systemic chemotherapy is an effective means of treating vitreous base seeding of retinoblastoma.