Retinoblastoma: One World, One Vision
Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: Retinoblastoma is curable when diagnosed early and treated appropriately; however, the prognosis is dismal when the basic elements of diagnosis and treatment are lacking. In developing countries, poor education, lower socioeconomic conditions, and inefficient health care systems result in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal care. Furthermore, the complexity of multidisciplinary care required is seldom possible. Whereas ocular salvage is a priority in the Western world, death from retinoblastoma is still a major problem in developing countries. To bring the 2 ends of this spectrum together and provide a forum for discussion, the "One World, One Vision" symposium was organized, at which clinicians and researchers from various cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds converged to discuss their experiences. Strategies for early diagnosis in developing countries were discussed. Elements of the development of retinoblastoma centers in developing countries were discussed, and examples of successful programs were highlighted. An important component in this process is twinning between centers in developing countries and mentor institutions in high-income countries. Global initiatives by nongovernmental organizations such as the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, Orbis International, and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness were presented. Treatment of retinoblastoma in developing countries remains a challenge; however, it is possible to coordinate efforts at multiple levels, including public administrations and nonprofit organizations, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma and to improve the outcome for these children.
Source: PEDIATRICS
Authors: Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Mathew W. Wilson, Guillermo Chantada, Ligia Fu, Ibrahim Qaddoumi, Célia Antoneli, Carlos Leal-Leal, Tarun Sharma, Margarita Barnoya, Sidnei Epelman, Louis Pizzarello, Javier R. Kane, Ray Barfield, Thomas E. Merchant, Leslie L. Robison, A. Linn Murphree, Patricia Chevez-Barrios, Michael A. Dyer, Joan O'Brien, Raul C. Ribeiro, John Hungerford, Eugene M. Helveston, Barrett G. Haik, Judith Wilimas
Institutions: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Garrahan Hospital, King Hussein Cancer Center, AC Camargo Hospital, Instituto Nacional de Pediatria, Sankara Nethralaya, International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, Columbia University, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of California, San Francisco, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana University School of Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Cancer Institute
OpenAlex ID: W2010568031