Diffuse Anterior Retinoblastoma with Globe Salvage and Visual Preservation in 3 Consecutive Cases.

PURPOSE: Diffuse anterior retinoblastoma is an exquisitely rare variant of retinoblastoma in which the tumor resides in the anterior segment of the eye, without apparent retinal involvement. Previously published cases have been managed with enucleation. We describe globe salvage and visual preservation in 3 consecutive cases using chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS: Three children with diffuse anterior retinoblastoma.

METHODS: Plaque radiotherapy plus intravenous chemotherapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Globe and vision preservation.

RESULTS: The mean patient age at presentation elsewhere was 5.7 years (median, 7; range, 3-7 years). There were 2 white female patients and 1 African American male patient. The initial observation by parents/caregiver was reduced vision (n = 1), red eye (n = 1), or cloudy eye (n = 1), and the initial finding by physician was iris tumor (n = 2) or hyphema (n = 1). Referring diagnosis was iris melanoma (n = 1), infectious endotheliitis (n = 1), and possible tumor (nonspecified) (n = 1). At our evaluation, visual acuity was 20/50 to 20/60 (n = 2) and fix no follow (n = 1). In all cases, the opposite eye was normal. Mean intraocular pressure was 20 mm Hg (median, 16; range, 15-30 mmHg). Our examination revealed solid iris tumor (n = 3), ciliary body involvement (n = 2), and anterior chamber seeding (n = 3). In no case was there choroidal or retinal tumor, vitreous seed or subretinal seed, or extrascleral extension. Clear corneal fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed the diagnosis as retinoblastoma in each case. Treatment included plaque radiotherapy (n = 3) plus additional systemic chemotherapy (n = 2). At mean follow-up of 35 months (median, 34; range, 20-51 months), there has been no recurrence, extrascleral extension, enucleation, metastasis, or death. In all 3 cases, cataract surgery was necessary at a mean interval of 16 months after complete and stable regression of retinoblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS: The rare diffuse anterior form of retinoblastoma can be managed with globe-salvaging alternatives and with visual preservation in selected cases.