Enucleation Refusal for Retinoblastoma: A Global Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Enucleation (eye removal) is often the only curative treatment for the childhood eye cancer retinoblastoma, yet parental refusal of enucleation commonly contributes to treatment delay and poor survival globally.

METHODS:

Physicians who treat retinoblastoma were surveyed to glean underlying reasons for treatment refusal.

RESULTS:

Refusal rates were higher when less time was spent with parents explaining retinoblastoma/enucleation, and where fewer support services were available. Reasons for refusal included parental belief in alternative treatments, culture, and social stigma.

CONCLUSIONS:

We suggest strategies to increase parental compliance with enucleation and save the lives of children with retinoblastoma.

• Authors: Cristina Olteanu, Helen Dimaras
• Journal: Ophthalmic genetics (Ophthalmic Genet) Vol. 37 Issue 2 Pg. 137-43 (06 2016) ISSN: 1744-5094 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25078476 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Eye Enucleation
• Female
• Global Health
• Health Surveys
• Healthcare Disparities
• Humans
• Male
• Parents (psychology)
• Physician-Patient Relations
• Retinal Neoplasms (pathology, surgery)
• Retinoblastoma (pathology, surgery)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Refusal (psychology)