Predictors of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia and Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma among Ugandan Patients: A Hospital-based Study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the predictors of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among Ugandan patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting for removal of ocular surface lesions received human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, completed questionnaires about demographic, behavioral, and historical potential risk factors for conjunctival neoplasia, and had lesions examined for interpalpebral versus other locations, rough versus smooth texture, and number of feeder vessels. Biopsies were classified pathologically using standard definitions classified OSSN and SCC. HIV rates were calculated for patients: with OSSN, SCC, and benign lesions. Potential risk factors and gross findings were tested for abilities to predict OSSN and SCC. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-five patients presented with 212 lesions in 203 eyes. Nearly 34% of the patients were more than 60 years old, 67% were peasants, 88% spent more than 20 h/week outdoors, and only 10% wore sun protection. No potential risk factors predicted neoplasia. HIV prevalence was 17.1% among patients with OSSN compared to 11.1% among those without OSSN; 42.9% among SCC patients compared to 12.0% among those without SCC. Rough tumor surface (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.4 and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-9.1), six or more feeder vessels (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.3-5.2), and interpalpebral tumor location (aOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.5-7.1) predicted OSSN. Only a rough tumor surface (aOR = 34.6, 95% CI: 7.8-153.4) predicted SCC. CONCLUSION: HIV infection remained a risk factor for OSSN and particularly, SCC, but less so than in the past. Lesions' rough surface, six or more feeder vessels, and interpalpebral location increased OSSN risk. Only a rough tumor surface increased risk for SCC.

Improving survival of retinoblastoma in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic delay results in relatively high mortality among children with retinoblastoma in Uganda, where treatment was limited to surgery and, for some, radiotherapy. In order to improve outcomes, a simple programme of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy was introduced. Here we report survival before and after this change to medical practice. METHODS: Affordable standard off-patent chemotherapy agents were administered by trained paramedical staff to groups of patients at the same time. Survival before and after the introduction of chemotherapy was monitored. Between 2006 and 2013 a total of 270 patients with retinoblastoma were included, 181 treated prior to chemotherapy and 89 after (beginning in 2009). We had 94% follow-up and 249 had histological verification of diagnosis. RESULTS: Using a proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex and laterality, children treated after chemotherapy was introduced had a 37% lower risk of dying (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.99) compared with children treated before. Prior to the introduction of chemotherapy only 15% of children who survived bilateral disease retained vision after treatment compared with 71% after chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of chemotherapy proved safe and cost-effective in non-specialist hands and was associated with significant improvements in survival and, among bilateral cases, in preserving vision.

Clinical features and survival among children with retinoblastoma in Uganda.

AIMS: To characterise the clinical features, treatment and outcome of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma in Uganda. METHODS: The study comprised a 6-year nationwide enrolment with follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 282 cases were enrolled, 26% (72) were bilateral; 6% were lost to follow-up. Almost all diagnoses in the first affected eye were International Classification of Retinoblastoma group E or worse. Histology was available for 92%; of those, 45%, had extraocular tumour at diagnosis. Enucleation of the first eye was done for 271; 94 received radiotherapy to the socket and in the last 2 years, 70 children received chemotherapy. At close of study, 139 children had died. Survival, as determined in a proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex, laterality and treatment era (pre or post introduction of chemotherapy), varied by extent of the tumour (p<0.001); children with only intraocular involvement were 80% less likely to die (HR=0.21, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.35) compared with children with extraocular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic delay results in relatively high mortality among children with retinoblastoma in Uganda. There is an urgent need for more effective treatment modalities, particularly chemotherapy, and nationwide efforts to encourage earlier access to medical care.