Webinar 13 abril 2021

Intraarterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma was first done almost 75 years ago by Reese in New York but abandoned in the late 1950’s. More than 30 years ago Kaneko and colleagues in Japan introduced new techniques and the use of Melphalan. Although the technique was only done in Japan the results were impressive-but since all those eyes also received radiation and intravitreal chemotherapy the contribution of intraarterial chemotherapy to the success was unclear.

The modern use of intraarterial chemotherapy was introduced by David H. Abramson, MD in New York in 2006. The technique is now done worldwide in more than 45 countries and more than 300 publications have all shown it to be more effective for eyes with advanced disease ( ICRb “D” and “E”), safer than radiation or systemic chemotherapy, cheaper and as a result is now accepted as first line treatment and treatment for eyes that fail other treatments. 95% of all eyes are now saved, patient survival is >99% and about 25% of blind eyes with retinal detachment regain some (often useful) sight. Both unilateral and bilateral eyes can be successfully treated. At MSKCC in New York only 5% of all patients require enucleation and following intraarterial chemotherapy >95% of all treated eyes are saved.