Characterization of Retinoblastoma Patients in a Referral Center on the Colombian North Coast

Authors

  • Ana María Álvarez Castillo Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia
  • Cesar Atencia Niño Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia
  • Diana Cifuentes Zapata Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia
  • Katia Gutiérrez Brun Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia
  • Jaime Moreno Chaparro Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia
  • Javier Antonio Amaya Nieto Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia
  • Javier Vásquez Ramírez Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.40.01.345.916

Keywords:

Retinoblastoma; Treatment; Intraarterial Chemotherapy; Ophthalmology; Colombia.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the following study was to describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with retinoblastoma (RB), the most common intraocular tumor in children, receiving medical care in an eyecare institution in the Caribbean region of Colombia. 

Methods: A case series between 2016 and 2021 was carried out. Eyes of patients with RB, receiving medical care in a single health care institution, and in compliance with the established follow-up protocol, were included. Descriptive analyzes of relevant variables were performed. 

Results: In this study, a total of 21 eyes of 16 patients were examined. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 17.7 months, and 50% of children were male. Using the International Classification for Intraocular Retinoblastoma, 42.9% of the total cases were classified as group D. Out of the 21 cases, 71.4% went into total remission without the necessity for enucleation, and the most common treatment was chemotherapy, using Melphalan® via intraarterial or intravitreal administration. 

Conclusion: Specific findings of patients with RB in the Caribbean Coast of Colombia were identified. These findings imply that, despite the obstacles to healthcare access, an early diagnosis and a treatment plan using intraarterial chemotherapy may provide a satisfactory clinical outcome (remission). 

Author Biographies

Ana María Álvarez Castillo, Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

Surgeon, Universidad de Cartagena. Specialist in Ophtalmology, Universidad de
Cartagena. Specialist in Pediatric Ophtalmology and Strabismus, Training in
Neuro-ophtalmology, Fundación Oftalmológica Nacional, endorsed by Universidad
del Rosario. Certification in Pedagogy, Curriculum and College Teaching,
Corporación Universitaria del Sinú. Specialization in Healthcare Management,
Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar. Institution: Centro Oftalmológico
Ebenezer. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1641-1608. CvLAC: https://
scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_
rh=0000425516. Mail: Anamaria.alvarezcastillo12@gmail.com. Corresponding
author: Ana María Álvarez Castillo. Research Group Ophthalmology Center,
Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer S.A.S, Cartagena, Colombia, Colombia. email:
anamaria.alvarezcastillo12@gmail.com.

Cesar Atencia Niño, Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

Surgeon, Universidad del Norte. Ophtalmologist, Universidad del Sinú. Specialist
in Retina and Vitreus, Clínica unidad laser del Atlántico (Dr. Carlos Abdala).
AfiInstitution: Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9729-6623.
CvLAC: https://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/
generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0000133507. Mail: Cesaratenciamd@hotmail.com

Diana Cifuentes Zapata, Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

Surgeon, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Ophtalmology, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la
Salud. Pediatric Ophtalmology and Adult Strabismus, Universidad de California, Los Angeles -
UCLA. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2048-9152. CvLAC: https://scienti.minciencias.gov.
co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0001528361. Mail: dianilcz@gmail.com

Katia Gutiérrez Brun, Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

Medical Doctor, Universidad del Sinú. Ophtalmology, Universidad del Sinú. Pediatric Ophtalmology and
Strabismus, Foscar. Institution: Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4334-7253. Mail: katyelen8@hotmail.com

Jaime Moreno Chaparro, Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

Ocupational Therapist, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Master in Clinical Epidemiology, Pontificia
Universidad Javeriana. Adjunt Professor , Department of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de
Colombia. Institution: Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer. CvLAC: https://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/
cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0000090106.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5655-3654. Mail: jaamorenoch@unal.edu.co

Javier Antonio Amaya Nieto, Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

Medical Doctor, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada Master in Clinical Epidemiology, Universidad
Nacional De Colombia Sede Bogotá Certification in Clinical Epidemiology, Fundación Universitaria
de Ciencias de la Salud – Fucs. AfiliInstitution: Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer. CvLAC: https://
scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0000066497.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9856-6242. Mail:javier.amayanieto@gmail.com

Javier Vásquez Ramírez, Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer, Colombia

Surgeon, Universidad de Cartagena. Ophtalmologist, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada-Hospital
Militar Central Santafé de Bogotá. Institution: Centro Oftalmológico Ebenezer.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6848-1053. CvLAC: https://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/
generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0001835805. Mail: javiervasquez@ebenezeroftalmologia.com

Published

2024-02-29

How to Cite

Álvarez Castillo, A. M. ., Atencia Niño, C. ., Cifuentes Zapata, D. ., Gutiérrez Brun, K. ., Moreno Chaparro, J. ., Amaya Nieto, J. A. ., & Vásquez Ramírez, J. . (2024). Characterization of Retinoblastoma Patients in a Referral Center on the Colombian North Coast. Salud Uninorte, 40(1), 97–108. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.40.01.345.916

Issue

Section

Original Article