01-01-2015 | Ophthalmologic cancers | Article
11. Long-Term Follow-Up of Retinoblastoma Survivors
Author: Danielle Novetsky Friedman, M.D.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Abstract
Over the past century, advances in the treatment of retinoblastoma have resulted in dramatically improved survival rates. As a result, increased attention has been given to the delineation, early identification, and treatment of survivors’ potential late effects of therapy, which may develop many years after initial treatment. While adverse oculo-visual outcomes and an increased risk of subsequent primary malignancies (in those with the genetic form of the disease) are well-documented, little is known about retinoblastoma survivors’ long-term general health and health status. The current chapter seeks to summarize the published data on retinoblastoma-specific late effects and highlight areas of inquiry which warrant further investigation. We begin by providing background on general childhood cancer survivorship and then survey the published literature on retinoblastoma-specific late medical outcomes, health-related quality of life, and cognitive outcomes. We also include data on extra-ocular retinoblastoma survivors’ late effect profiles as well as recent published data on the utility of whole body MRI screening in those with the genetic form of the disease. We conclude with clinical recommendations for the long-term care of retinoblastoma survivors.