Team management, twinning, and telemedicine in retinoblastoma: a 3-tier approach implemented in the first eye salvage program in Jordan.
Pediatr Blood Cancer
; 51(2): 241-4, 2008 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18300320
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
This study evaluated the outcome of retinoblastoma patients, when employing a telemedicine-based twinning program in Jordan. PROCEDURE This cohort study included patients at the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC; Amman, Jordan) who received consultations for retinoblastoma from March 2003 to September 2006. A collaborative program was established with the International Outreach Program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Cases were discussed using an Internet consultation service where fundus images, clinical history, and proposed treatment were reviewed. Selected cases were further discussed via videoconferencing and electronic mail.RESULTS:
Thirty-three children with retinoblastoma (20 bilateral) were treated at KHCC. The median age at diagnosis was 7 months for patients with bilateral retinoblastoma and 35 months for patients with unilateral retinoblastoma. Of the 20 patients with bilateral disease, 12 were newly diagnosed and 8 had received prior treatment. Our success in the bilateral cases was most evident in the previously untreated group, in which only six eyes (25%) were enucleated and four eyes (17%) were irradiated. Of the 13 patients with unilateral retinoblastoma, 12 underwent enucleation, and 6 required radiation. Neither group experienced mortality.CONCLUSIONS:
Twinning has positively impacted survival and ocular salvage in Jordan. By partnering a team of professionals with mentors willing to provide close supervision, the highly specialized management of retinoblastoma can be successfully implemented in a developing country.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente
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Retinoblastoma
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Telemedicina
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Neoplasias da Retina
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Incidence_studies
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Observational_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article