Clinicopathologic evaluation of primary vs secondary enucleated unilateral group D retinoblastoma eyes

Background The risk of tumor spread is the main concern while deciding primary treatment in advanced unilateral retinoblastoma, which presents later with an intact normal eye. Enucleation was recommended as a radical treatment but with newer treatment options such as systemic and intra-arterial chemotherapy. Ocular salvage could be tried in group D eyes with smaller tumors and visual potential. Aim The aim was to assess the histopathologic metastatic risk in primary vs secondary enucleated (trial salvage) unilateral group D eyes. Design Retrospective, noncomparative, single-institution observational case series. Patients and methods All primary and secondary enucleated unilateral group D eyes (June 2012 to December 2018) managed at the pediatric ocular oncology unit, Ophthalmology Department, University of Alexandria. Clinical, radiological, histopathologic, and treatment data were collected. Clinicopathologic correlation was performed to identify the frequency of high-risk histopathologic features (HRHF). Statistical analysis All analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel 2013 software and SPSS software version 17.0. Results Twenty-six eyes were included. Sixteen were primary enucleated and none showed HRHF while 10 were secondary enucleated after failed trial salvage. Timely enucleated secondary cases (6/10) showed no HRHF while delayed secondary enucleation (2/4) was significantly associated with HRHF (P=0.02). All cases are alive with no metastasis after a median follow-up of 5 years. Conclusion Primary and timely secondary enucleation for unilateral group D retinoblastoma eyes are comparable in low metastatic risk and effectivity of tumor control. Controlled discussed trial ocular salvage is safe conditioned by strict timely termination, if necessary.