Retinoblastoma: one world, one vision.

RODRIGUEZ-GALINDO C, WILSON MW, CHANTADA G, FU L, QADDOUMI I, ANTONELI C,

PEDIATRICS

Año: 2008 p. 763 - 770

0031-4005

Retinoblastoma is curable when diagnosed early and treated appropriately;however, the prognosis is dismal when the basic elements of diagnosis andtreatment are lacking. In developing countries, poor education, lowersocioeconomic conditions, and inefficient health care systems result in delayeddiagnosis and suboptimal care. Furthermore, the complexity of multidisciplinarycare required is seldom possible. Whereas ocular salvage is a priority in theWestern world, death from retinoblastoma is still a major problem in developingcountries. To bring the 2 ends of this spectrum together and provide a forum for discussion, the "One World, One Vision" symposium was organized, at whichclinicians and researchers from various cultural, geographic, and socioeconomicbackgrounds converged to discuss their experiences. Strategies for earlydiagnosis in developing countries were discussed. Elements of the development of retinoblastoma centers in developing countries were discussed, and examples ofsuccessful programs were highlighted. An important component in this process istwinning between centers in developing countries and mentor institutions inhigh-income countries. Global initiatives by nongovernmental organizations suchas the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, OrbisInternational, and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness werepresented. Treatment of retinoblastoma in developing countries remains achallenge; however, it is possible to coordinate efforts at multiple levels,including public administrations and nonprofit organizations, to improve thediagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma and to improve the outcome for thesechildren.