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Impact of an education program on late diagnosis of retinoblastoma in Honduras
Author(s) -
Leander Christopher,
Fu Ligia C.,
Peña Armando,
Howard Scott C.,
RodriguezGalindo Carlos,
Wilimas Judith A.,
Ribeiro Raul C.,
Haik Barrett
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21052
Subject(s) - retinoblastoma , medicine , abandonment (legal) , pediatrics , disease , stage (stratigraphy) , cure rate , surgery , paleontology , biochemistry , chemistry , biology , political science , law , gene
Background In developed countries, more than 90% of children with retinoblastoma present with limited‐stage disease and are cured; however, in countries with limited resources, like Honduras, most patients present with advanced disease and cure rates are less than 50%. Early diagnosis is necessary to improve the survival of children with retinoblastoma in these countries. Procedure We describe the preliminary results of a retinoblastoma education program linked to a national vaccination campaign in Honduras. Posters and flyers were designed to be accessible to poorly educated readers, to convey the severity of retinoblastoma, and to provide contact information. Charts and an electronic database were reviewed to determine age at diagnosis, presenting signs and symptoms, date of diagnosis, and outcome. Results During the eight previous years (July 1995–June 2003), 73% of the 59 diagnosed cases of retinoblastoma were extraocular; in contrast, during the post‐campaign period (June 2003–January 2005), only 35% of the 23 diagnosed cases showed extraocular spread ( P = 0.002). More than one‐third of patients in both time periods either refused therapy or abandoned treatment. Conclusion This inexpensive approach is an effective first step toward improving survival of childhood retinoblastoma. Abandonment and refusal of therapy are continuing obstacles. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:817–819. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.