Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma

  In recent years, it has been found that pediatric retinoblastoma is poorly treated, especially in patients with advanced disease, and that most children have shrunk after intra-arterial chemotherapy, providing a therapeutic opportunity for further treatment.  This study was conducted by the hospital’s Institute of Orbital Diseases in collaboration with the Department of Neurovascular Medicine. After several cases, it was found that intra-arterial chemotherapy did have a better effect than intra-venous chemotherapy, and almost all had some effect, especially for those with more advanced treatment. The tumor was found to shrink after treatment, providing an opportunity for possible local dressing treatment. Even though removal of the eye may not be avoided, this treatment has the potential to reduce the chance of recurrence and metastasis.  This study is ongoing, but the results so far are far better than the original intravenous chemotherapy.