Look into their eyes and save their vision: role of primary health care provider in early diagnosis of retinoblastoma

Authors

  • Soundharyaa Gunaseelan Department of Pediatrics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Pujitha Immanni Ganga Department of Pediatrics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Latha M. Sneha Department of Pediatric Hemato Oncology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Julius Scott Department of Pediatric Hemato Oncology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Vikas Khetan Vitreo Retina and Ocular Oncology Department, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20230445

Keywords:

Primary health care provider, Red eye reflex, Retinoblastoma, Early diagnosis

Abstract

Childhood cancer is not amenable to preventive or screening strategies. The most effective strategy to reduce the cancer burden and improve outcomes, is to focus on early, correct diagnosis followed by evidence-based therapy. When diagnosed early, they are responsive to appropriate therapy and increases survival rates, thereby reducing the need for intensive treatment and reduces the expenditure per child. Retinoblastoma is the most common intra ocular malignancy and is one of the most curable cancers in children. If diagnosed early and treated optimally, not only they are completely cured but a vast majority can have ocular salvage and retain vision. Lack of awareness among general population, diagnostic delays, delays in referral to proper treatment centre, compounded by socio economic factors attributes to the poor outcome in such children. We report a case of 2 years 10 months old girl child whose initial presentation of leukocoria was missed and later presented with advanced retinoblastoma with CNS metastasis.

References

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Published

2023-02-23

Issue

Section

Case Reports