Long-term results of brachytherapy with 106 ruthenium and 90strontium plaques for retinoblastoma

Author: Elena Kotova (Russian Federation)

Co-authors: Andrey Yarovoy, Vera Yarovaya, Denis Volodin, Amina Chochaeva

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of 106Ru and 90Sr plaque brachytherapy in the management of retinoblastoma.

Setting/Venue

National Medical Research Center Academician S.N. Fyodorov Intersectoral Scientific and Technical Complex “Eye microsurgery”, Ministry of Health of Russia; 59a Beskudnikovsky Blvd., Moscow, 127486, Russia

Methods

In a retrospective study, we reviewed case series of 120 children with retinoblastoma (194 tumors in 137 eyes) treated with 106Ru and 90 Sr plaques at the S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution in Moscow between November 2007 and December 2020. Median follow-up length was 52,6 months. The median patient age was 26 months. Treated tumors had a mean height and diameter of 2.9 ± 1.2 mm and 6.5 ± 2.5 mm, 1.9 ± 0.5 mm and 4.8 ± 1.7 mm, respectively. Median prescribed doses of 106Ru and 90Sr plaques at reference depth and outer surface of the sclera were 89 Gy and 330 Gy, 174 Gy and 700 Gy, respectively.

Results

Overall tumor control was achieved in 93%. Tumor recurrence was observed in 7% (14 tumors). Eye retention was achieved in 89% of cases (122 of 137 eyes). Radiation complications included retinal detachment (7%), non-proliferative retinopathy (14%), proliferative retinopathy (3%), optic neuropathy (25%), and subcapsular cataract (8%).

Conlusions

Brachytherapy using 106Ru and 90Sr plaques is an effective treatment for retinoblastoma with excellent local tumor control and few secondary complications.