Epidemiological pattern of retinoblastoma at the Philippine General Hospital
Romeo B. Espiritu, MD, Arnel A. de Jesus, MD, Eric G. Valera, MD, Gary V. Mercado, MD
Objective
To evaluate the epidemiological and clinical patterns of retinoblastoma in a tertiary government hospital.
Methods
This is a retrospective case series of new retinoblastoma patients seen at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in three periods: 1967 to 1977, 1985 to 1995, and 1997 to 2001. The demographic and clinical characteristics of retinoblastoma over the three periods were compared.
Results
The incidence of retinoblastoma increased from 40/100,000 new cases in 1967 to 1977 to 237/100,000 new cases in 1997 to 2001. The average age at onset did not change over time but the age at consultation decreased from 1.5 years to 1 year. The most common initial ocular manifestation at onset was cat’s eye reflex (77 to 79%) with findings of leukocoria (67 to 77%). Extraocular findings of proptosis and orbital mass declined through the years. Bilateral retinoblastoma comprised 30% in this series and showed no change in distribution over the years.
Conclusion
The epidemiological and clinical patterns of retinoblastoma cases at the Philippine General Hospital may be changing over time and requires continuous monitoring of incidence and characteristics.
Key words: Retinoblastoma, Tumor, Epidemiology