Retinoblastoma (Rb) é o tumor ocular mais frequente na infância e cada grande Centro deve conhecer o perfil dos seus pacientes. Foi realizado um estudo do tipo coorte retrospectivo e incluiu pacientes com Rb atendidos entre 1983 e 2012 nos Serviços de Oncologia Pediátrica, Oftalmologia e Genética Médica do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). De um total de 165 registros no período foram efetivamente incluídos 140 pacientes, sendo 95,0% destes provenientes de municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Os sinais mais frequentes ao diagnóstico foram: leucocoria (73,6%) e estrabismo (20,7%). Identificamos a seguinte distribuição: doença unilateral (65,0%), bilateral (32,9%) sendo 80,4% com doença multifocal (p=0,015), trilateral (2,1%). A idade média dos pacientes por ocasião dos primeiros sinais e sintomas foi de 18,1 meses [mediana=12,0] e a idade média ao diagnóstico foi 23,5 meses [mediana=16,5]. Cinquenta pacientes (35,7%) foram diagnosticados no 1º ano de vida. O tempo de diagnóstico médio da coorte foi 5,4 meses [mediana=3,0], (amplitude=0-77,0). A idade média aos primeiros sinais e sintomas do grupo com critérios de hereditariedade foi de 12,3 meses enquanto a do grupo não hereditário foi de 21,6 meses (p=0,001), enquanto a idade média ao diagnóstico foi de 15,9 meses vs. 28 meses, respectivamente (p<0,001). Entretanto não houve diferença na sobrevida entre esses subgrupos. O estadiamento ocular dos pacientes ao diagnóstico na sua maioria foi avançado (classificação de Reese V em 76,5%, Internacional D ou E em 78,1%), sendo que 35,2% dos unilaterais e 34,8% dos bilaterais já apresentavam doença extraocular em pelo menos um olho ao diagnóstico. Quinze pacientes (10,7%) tinham doença metastática ao diagnóstico. Em relação ao tratamento, diferentes modalidades foram utilizadas, sendo a maioria dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia, sendo esta enucleação em 88,1% e exenteração em 11,9%. Uma parcela significativa dos pacientes foi tratada com quimioterapia sistêmica (57,1%) e/ou radioterapia (37,1%). Do total de pacientes recrutados, 131 (93,6%) permaneceram vinculados ao hospital até 2012 ou até o óbito. Destes, 32 (22,9%) recidivaram, resultando em 19 óbitos com 84,2% por progressão do Rb. Uma segunda neoplasia primária esteve presente em 4,3% (N=6) e dentre esses, um paciente teve uma terceira neoplasia primária. O tempo de seguimento médio foi 323,2 meses [300,3; 346,1]. As sobrevidas nos diferentes subgrupos foram as seguintes: sobrevida global 86,4%; no não metastático 92,0%; no metastático 40,0%; entre os intraoculares 94,0%; entre os extraoculares 68,5%; entre os unilaterais e bilaterais ambos com cerca de 88,0%; entre os trilaterais (N=3) todos foram a óbito; entre os unilaterais intraoculares 94,9% e extraoculares 75,0% e entre os bilaterais intraoculares 94,5% e extraoculares 68,4%. No nosso meio, o diagnóstico de Rb ainda é feito predominantemente em estadios avançados o que reduz a sobrevida dos pacientes e o índice de preservação do olho e da visão, além de aumentar a intensidade dos tratamentos realizados e consequentemente, toxicidade e efeitos tardios destes. Avaliações clínicas e oftalmológicas periódicas nos primeiros anos de vida da criança oferecem maior oportunidade de um diagnóstico precoce e o encaminhamento rápido à um Centro de Referência multidisciplinar que contemple cuidados terciários em Oftalmologia e Oncologia Pediátrica é fundamental. Existe grande necessidade de investimentos regionais que facilitem o acesso ao diagnóstico e tratamento do Rb, o tumor ocular mais frequente na infância. / Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most frequent ocular tumor diagnosed in children and every pediatric hospital must be familiar with its clinical presentation and patient characteristics. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, with patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma from 1983 until 2012, treated at the Pediatric Oncology Unit, Ophthalmology Unit, and Medical Genetics Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Of a total of 165 registries during this time frame, 140 patients were included in this study, with 95% of them from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The most frequent signs and symptoms at diagnosis were: leukocoria (73.6%) and strabismus (20.7%). The following distribution was identified: unilateral disease (65.0%), bilateral disease (32.9%), being 80.4% with multifocal disease, (P=0,015), and trilateral disease (2.1%). The average age of patients at the appearance of the first sign or symptom was 18.1 months [median=12.0] and the average age at diagnosis was 23.5 months [median=16.5]. Fifty patients (35.7%) were diagnosed during their first year of age. The average time to diagnosis was of 5.4 months [median=3.0], (amplitude=0-77.0). In the hereditary retinoblastoma group, the average age at the appearance of the first sign or symptom was 12.3 months, whereas the non-hereditary group presented the first sign or symptom on average at 21.6 months (P=0,001). The average age at diagnosis was 15.9 months vs. 28 months for the hereditary and non-hereditary patients, respectively (P<0.001). However, no significant difference in overall survival was found when both groups were compared. Ocular staging at diagnosis was, for the most part, advanced disease, (Reese V classification: 76.5%, Internacional Classification of Retinoblastoma D or E in 78.1% patients), being that 35.2% of cases were comprised of unilateral disease and 34.8% of patients with bilateral disease already presented with extraocular lesions in at least one eye at diagnosis. Fifteen patients (10.7%) presented with metastasis at diagnosis. With regards to treatment, differnet modalities were employed, being that most patients underwent surgery with enucleation in 88.1% and e exenteration in 11.9%. A significant number of patients received systemic chemotherapy (57.1%) and/or radiotherapy (37.1%). Of all patients included, 131 (93.6%) remained in follow up at the hospital until 2012 or until their demise. Of these patients, 32 (22.9%) relapsed, leading to 19 deaths, 84.2% of them due to disease progression. Secondary malignancies were present in 6 patients (4.3%) and, of these, one patient presented with two different secondary malignancies. The average time of patient follow up was 323.2 months [300.3; 346.1]. Overall survival was of 86.4%, with the following time frames among the different patient subgroups: 92.0% for non-metastatic patients, 40.0% for metastatic patients, intraoculares 94.0% for patients with intraocular disease, and 68.5% for patients with extraocular lesions. With regards to unilateral or bilateral disease, overall survival was of 88.0%; for patients with trilateral disease, (N=3) all patients expired. Survival of patients with unilateral and intraocular disease was of 94.9%; patients with unilateral and extraocular disease presented a overall survival of 75.0%. Patients with bilateral intraocular lesions overall survival was of 94.5%, whereas patients with bilateral and extraocular disease had an overall survival of 68.4%. In our setting, Rb diagnosis still occurs when the patients already manifest advanced disease, which reduces considerably their overall survival and preservation of the ocular globe and vision. Moreover, late diagnosis requires more agressive treatments, and consequently leads to more frequent toxicities and late side effects. Periodic clinical and ophthalmologic evaluations during the first years of a child's life offer a greater chance of early diagnosis and referral to a multidisciplinary pediatric oncology center, which is crucial for the patient’s well being. There is much need of further investments which facilitate patient access to diagnosis and treatment for Rb, which is the most common ocular tumor in children.

Retinoblastoma (Rb) é o tumor ocular mais frequente na infância e cada grande Centro deve conhecer o perfil dos seus pacientes. Foi realizado um estudo do tipo coorte retrospectivo e incluiu pacientes com Rb atendidos entre 1983 e 2012 nos Serviços de Oncologia Pediátrica, Oftalmologia e Genética Médica do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). De um total de 165 registros no período foram efetivamente incluídos 140 pacientes, sendo 95,0% destes provenientes de municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Os sinais mais frequentes ao diagnóstico foram: leucocoria (73,6%) e estrabismo (20,7%). Identificamos a seguinte distribuição: doença unilateral (65,0%), bilateral (32,9%) sendo 80,4% com doença multifocal (p=0,015), trilateral (2,1%). A idade média dos pacientes por ocasião dos primeiros sinais e sintomas foi de 18,1 meses [mediana=12,0] e a idade média ao diagnóstico foi 23,5 meses [mediana=16,5]. Cinquenta pacientes (35,7%) foram diagnosticados no 1º ano de vida. O tempo de diagnóstico médio da coorte foi 5,4 meses [mediana=3,0], (amplitude=0-77,0). A idade média aos primeiros sinais e sintomas do grupo com critérios de hereditariedade foi de 12,3 meses enquanto a do grupo não hereditário foi de 21,6 meses (p=0,001), enquanto a idade média ao diagnóstico foi de 15,9 meses vs. 28 meses, respectivamente (p<0,001). Entretanto não houve diferença na sobrevida entre esses subgrupos. O estadiamento ocular dos pacientes ao diagnóstico na sua maioria foi avançado (classificação de Reese V em 76,5%, Internacional D ou E em 78,1%), sendo que 35,2% dos unilaterais e 34,8% dos bilaterais já apresentavam doença extraocular em pelo menos um olho ao diagnóstico. Quinze pacientes (10,7%) tinham doença metastática ao diagnóstico. Em relação ao tratamento, diferentes modalidades foram utilizadas, sendo a maioria dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia, sendo esta enucleação em 88,1% e exenteração em 11,9%. Uma parcela significativa dos pacientes foi tratada com quimioterapia sistêmica (57,1%) e/ou radioterapia (37,1%). Do total de pacientes recrutados, 131 (93,6%) permaneceram vinculados ao hospital até 2012 ou até o óbito. Destes, 32 (22,9%) recidivaram, resultando em 19 óbitos com 84,2% por progressão do Rb. Uma segunda neoplasia primária esteve presente em 4,3% (N=6) e dentre esses, um paciente teve uma terceira neoplasia primária. O tempo de seguimento médio foi 323,2 meses [300,3; 346,1]. As sobrevidas nos diferentes subgrupos foram as seguintes: sobrevida global 86,4%; no não metastático 92,0%; no metastático 40,0%; entre os intraoculares 94,0%; entre os extraoculares 68,5%; entre os unilaterais e bilaterais ambos com cerca de 88,0%; entre os trilaterais (N=3) todos foram a óbito; entre os unilaterais intraoculares 94,9% e extraoculares 75,0% e entre os bilaterais intraoculares 94,5% e extraoculares 68,4%. No nosso meio, o diagnóstico de Rb ainda é feito predominantemente em estadios avançados o que reduz a sobrevida dos pacientes e o índice de preservação do olho e da visão, além de aumentar a intensidade dos tratamentos realizados e consequentemente, toxicidade e efeitos tardios destes. Avaliações clínicas e oftalmológicas periódicas nos primeiros anos de vida da criança oferecem maior oportunidade de um diagnóstico precoce e o encaminhamento rápido à um Centro de Referência multidisciplinar que contemple cuidados terciários em Oftalmologia e Oncologia Pediátrica é fundamental. Existe grande necessidade de investimentos regionais que facilitem o acesso ao diagnóstico e tratamento do Rb, o tumor ocular mais frequente na infância. / Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most frequent ocular tumor diagnosed in children and every pediatric hospital must be familiar with its clinical presentation and patient characteristics. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, with patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma from 1983 until 2012, treated at the Pediatric Oncology Unit, Ophthalmology Unit, and Medical Genetics Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Of a total of 165 registries during this time frame, 140 patients were included in this study, with 95% of them from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The most frequent signs and symptoms at diagnosis were: leukocoria (73.6%) and strabismus (20.7%). The following distribution was identified: unilateral disease (65.0%), bilateral disease (32.9%), being 80.4% with multifocal disease, (P=0,015), and trilateral disease (2.1%). The average age of patients at the appearance of the first sign or symptom was 18.1 months [median=12.0] and the average age at diagnosis was 23.5 months [median=16.5]. Fifty patients (35.7%) were diagnosed during their first year of age. The average time to diagnosis was of 5.4 months [median=3.0], (amplitude=0-77.0). In the hereditary retinoblastoma group, the average age at the appearance of the first sign or symptom was 12.3 months, whereas the non-hereditary group presented the first sign or symptom on average at 21.6 months (P=0,001). The average age at diagnosis was 15.9 months vs. 28 months for the hereditary and non-hereditary patients, respectively (P<0.001). However, no significant difference in overall survival was found when both groups were compared. Ocular staging at diagnosis was, for the most part, advanced disease, (Reese V classification: 76.5%, Internacional Classification of Retinoblastoma D or E in 78.1% patients), being that 35.2% of cases were comprised of unilateral disease and 34.8% of patients with bilateral disease already presented with extraocular lesions in at least one eye at diagnosis. Fifteen patients (10.7%) presented with metastasis at diagnosis. With regards to treatment, differnet modalities were employed, being that most patients underwent surgery with enucleation in 88.1% and e exenteration in 11.9%. A significant number of patients received systemic chemotherapy (57.1%) and/or radiotherapy (37.1%). Of all patients included, 131 (93.6%) remained in follow up at the hospital until 2012 or until their demise. Of these patients, 32 (22.9%) relapsed, leading to 19 deaths, 84.2% of them due to disease progression. Secondary malignancies were present in 6 patients (4.3%) and, of these, one patient presented with two different secondary malignancies. The average time of patient follow up was 323.2 months [300.3; 346.1]. Overall survival was of 86.4%, with the following time frames among the different patient subgroups: 92.0% for non-metastatic patients, 40.0% for metastatic patients, intraoculares 94.0% for patients with intraocular disease, and 68.5% for patients with extraocular lesions. With regards to unilateral or bilateral disease, overall survival was of 88.0%; for patients with trilateral disease, (N=3) all patients expired. Survival of patients with unilateral and intraocular disease was of 94.9%; patients with unilateral and extraocular disease presented a overall survival of 75.0%. Patients with bilateral intraocular lesions overall survival was of 94.5%, whereas patients with bilateral and extraocular disease had an overall survival of 68.4%. In our setting, Rb diagnosis still occurs when the patients already manifest advanced disease, which reduces considerably their overall survival and preservation of the ocular globe and vision. Moreover, late diagnosis requires more agressive treatments, and consequently leads to more frequent toxicities and late side effects. Periodic clinical and ophthalmologic evaluations during the first years of a child's life offer a greater chance of early diagnosis and referral to a multidisciplinary pediatric oncology center, which is crucial for the patient’s well being. There is much need of further investments which facilitate patient access to diagnosis and treatment for Rb, which is the most common ocular tumor in children.

Retinoblastoma (Rb) é o tumor ocular mais frequente na infância e cada grande Centro deve conhecer o perfil dos seus pacientes. Foi realizado um estudo do tipo coorte retrospectivo e incluiu pacientes com Rb atendidos entre 1983 e 2012 nos Serviços de Oncologia Pediátrica, Oftalmologia e Genética Médica do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). De um total de 165 registros no período foram efetivamente incluídos 140 pacientes, sendo 95,0% destes provenientes de municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Os sinais mais frequentes ao diagnóstico foram: leucocoria (73,6%) e estrabismo (20,7%). Identificamos a seguinte distribuição: doença unilateral (65,0%), bilateral (32,9%) sendo 80,4% com doença multifocal (p=0,015), trilateral (2,1%). A idade média dos pacientes por ocasião dos primeiros sinais e sintomas foi de 18,1 meses [mediana=12,0] e a idade média ao diagnóstico foi 23,5 meses [mediana=16,5]. Cinquenta pacientes (35,7%) foram diagnosticados no 1º ano de vida. O tempo de diagnóstico médio da coorte foi 5,4 meses [mediana=3,0], (amplitude=0-77,0). A idade média aos primeiros sinais e sintomas do grupo com critérios de hereditariedade foi de 12,3 meses enquanto a do grupo não hereditário foi de 21,6 meses (p=0,001), enquanto a idade média ao diagnóstico foi de 15,9 meses vs. 28 meses, respectivamente (p<0,001). Entretanto não houve diferença na sobrevida entre esses subgrupos. O estadiamento ocular dos pacientes ao diagnóstico na sua maioria foi avançado (classificação de Reese V em 76,5%, Internacional D ou E em 78,1%), sendo que 35,2% dos unilaterais e 34,8% dos bilaterais já apresentavam doença extraocular em pelo menos um olho ao diagnóstico. Quinze pacientes (10,7%) tinham doença metastática ao diagnóstico. Em relação ao tratamento, diferentes modalidades foram utilizadas, sendo a maioria dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia, sendo esta enucleação em 88,1% e exenteração em 11,9%. Uma parcela significativa dos pacientes foi tratada com quimioterapia sistêmica (57,1%) e/ou radioterapia (37,1%). Do total de pacientes recrutados, 131 (93,6%) permaneceram vinculados ao hospital até 2012 ou até o óbito. Destes, 32 (22,9%) recidivaram, resultando em 19 óbitos com 84,2% por progressão do Rb. Uma segunda neoplasia primária esteve presente em 4,3% (N=6) e dentre esses, um paciente teve uma terceira neoplasia primária. O tempo de seguimento médio foi 323,2 meses [300,3; 346,1]. As sobrevidas nos diferentes subgrupos foram as seguintes: sobrevida global 86,4%; no não metastático 92,0%; no metastático 40,0%; entre os intraoculares 94,0%; entre os extraoculares 68,5%; entre os unilaterais e bilaterais ambos com cerca de 88,0%; entre os trilaterais (N=3) todos foram a óbito; entre os unilaterais intraoculares 94,9% e extraoculares 75,0% e entre os bilaterais intraoculares 94,5% e extraoculares 68,4%. No nosso meio, o diagnóstico de Rb ainda é feito predominantemente em estadios avançados o que reduz a sobrevida dos pacientes e o índice de preservação do olho e da visão, além de aumentar a intensidade dos tratamentos realizados e consequentemente, toxicidade e efeitos tardios destes. Avaliações clínicas e oftalmológicas periódicas nos primeiros anos de vida da criança oferecem maior oportunidade de um diagnóstico precoce e o encaminhamento rápido à um Centro de Referência multidisciplinar que contemple cuidados terciários em Oftalmologia e Oncologia Pediátrica é fundamental. Existe grande necessidade de investimentos regionais que facilitem o acesso ao diagnóstico e tratamento do Rb, o tumor ocular mais frequente na infância. / Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most frequent ocular tumor diagnosed in children and every pediatric hospital must be familiar with its clinical presentation and patient characteristics. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, with patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma from 1983 until 2012, treated at the Pediatric Oncology Unit, Ophthalmology Unit, and Medical Genetics Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Of a total of 165 registries during this time frame, 140 patients were included in this study, with 95% of them from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The most frequent signs and symptoms at diagnosis were: leukocoria (73.6%) and strabismus (20.7%). The following distribution was identified: unilateral disease (65.0%), bilateral disease (32.9%), being 80.4% with multifocal disease, (P=0,015), and trilateral disease (2.1%). The average age of patients at the appearance of the first sign or symptom was 18.1 months [median=12.0] and the average age at diagnosis was 23.5 months [median=16.5]. Fifty patients (35.7%) were diagnosed during their first year of age. The average time to diagnosis was of 5.4 months [median=3.0], (amplitude=0-77.0). In the hereditary retinoblastoma group, the average age at the appearance of the first sign or symptom was 12.3 months, whereas the non-hereditary group presented the first sign or symptom on average at 21.6 months (P=0,001). The average age at diagnosis was 15.9 months vs. 28 months for the hereditary and non-hereditary patients, respectively (P<0.001). However, no significant difference in overall survival was found when both groups were compared. Ocular staging at diagnosis was, for the most part, advanced disease, (Reese V classification: 76.5%, Internacional Classification of Retinoblastoma D or E in 78.1% patients), being that 35.2% of cases were comprised of unilateral disease and 34.8% of patients with bilateral disease already presented with extraocular lesions in at least one eye at diagnosis. Fifteen patients (10.7%) presented with metastasis at diagnosis. With regards to treatment, differnet modalities were employed, being that most patients underwent surgery with enucleation in 88.1% and e exenteration in 11.9%. A significant number of patients received systemic chemotherapy (57.1%) and/or radiotherapy (37.1%). Of all patients included, 131 (93.6%) remained in follow up at the hospital until 2012 or until their demise. Of these patients, 32 (22.9%) relapsed, leading to 19 deaths, 84.2% of them due to disease progression. Secondary malignancies were present in 6 patients (4.3%) and, of these, one patient presented with two different secondary malignancies. The average time of patient follow up was 323.2 months [300.3; 346.1]. Overall survival was of 86.4%, with the following time frames among the different patient subgroups: 92.0% for non-metastatic patients, 40.0% for metastatic patients, intraoculares 94.0% for patients with intraocular disease, and 68.5% for patients with extraocular lesions. With regards to unilateral or bilateral disease, overall survival was of 88.0%; for patients with trilateral disease, (N=3) all patients expired. Survival of patients with unilateral and intraocular disease was of 94.9%; patients with unilateral and extraocular disease presented a overall survival of 75.0%. Patients with bilateral intraocular lesions overall survival was of 94.5%, whereas patients with bilateral and extraocular disease had an overall survival of 68.4%. In our setting, Rb diagnosis still occurs when the patients already manifest advanced disease, which reduces considerably their overall survival and preservation of the ocular globe and vision. Moreover, late diagnosis requires more agressive treatments, and consequently leads to more frequent toxicities and late side effects. Periodic clinical and ophthalmologic evaluations during the first years of a child's life offer a greater chance of early diagnosis and referral to a multidisciplinary pediatric oncology center, which is crucial for the patient’s well being. There is much need of further investments which facilitate patient access to diagnosis and treatment for Rb, which is the most common ocular tumor in children.