Spontaneous Regression of Retinoblastoma in a Taiwan Series

Abstract

PURPOSE: To document the high occurrence of complete spontaneous regression of retinoblastoma in a Taiwan series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cases of retinoblastoma (133 eyes of 110 patients) at a single Taiwanese hospital from 1978 to 2002 were reviewed. RESULTS: Complete spontaneous tumor regression and phthisis bulbi were noted in 7 eyes of 7 patients. The regression rate was 5.3%, which is higher than previous reports of 1% to 2%. Tumor regression was associated with a common course of acute painful inflammation and ended with a shrunken, nonfunctioning eye. No residual vision was noted in any patient. CONCLUSION: Delayed diagnosis and advanced stage of the disease in this series of Taiwanese patients probably led to the massive intratumoral necrosis and resulted in phthisic change of the globe.