RETINOBLASTOMA - THERAPY AND TREATMENT (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Retinoblastoma (RB) is a cancer that forms in the developing retina of infants and young children. The goal of therapy is to cure the tumor, save the eye and maximize vision. However, it is difficult to predict which eyes are likely to respond to therapy.Objective: Report the different types of treatment and therapies for retinoblastoma. Methodology: This is a systematic literature review carried out in the Scielo and PubMed databases with the search strategy “Retinoblastoma AND Treatment”, aided by a 20-year filter. Upon reading the title, 10 articles were selected, of which 4 were used for research. Results: 1 study pointed out that the use of brachytherapy in 17 patients with retinoblastoma promoted rapid regression in all patients. In this perspective, 3 other studies refer to the introduction of carboplatin, which has a quick and easily observable action on tumor masses of intraocular retinoblastoma, with partial inactivation and temporary control of the disease. Thus, the concomitant use of local treatments began, usually laser, for complete destruction of the tumor, called “plus” chemotherapy. Furthermore, the reduction of tumor masses by chemotherapy, associated with local treatments, is an attempt to increase the preservation of the eyeball and to avoid the use of radiotherapy, preventing facial deformities and second radio-induced tumors.Conclusion: Therefore, studies indicate that “plus” chemotherapy is able to attenuate the size of the tumor and that, when combined with cryotherapy, it can avoid more invasive measures, such as external radiotherapy, and avoid enucleation. In addition, iodine-125 radioactive plaque brachytherapy, as a rescue treatment, after systemic or intra-arterial chemotherapy, may be a way forward. Thus, despite still requiring further studies, treatments for retinoblastoma are proving to be increasingly promising, less invasive and more effective.