Enucleation Refusal for Retinoblastoma: A Global Study

• DOI: 10.3109/13816810.2014.937543
• Publication Date: 2014-07-31T12:39:18Z
• Authors: Cristina Olteanu; Helen Dimaras
• Keywords: Male; Parents; Physician-Patient Relations; Retinal Neoplasms; Retinoblastoma; Global Health; Health Surveys; Eye Enucleation; 3. Good health; Treatment Refusal; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Child, Preschool; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Female; Healthcare Disparities; Child

Background: Enucleation (eye removal) is often the only curative treatment for the childhood eye cancer retinoblastoma, yet parental refusal of enucleation commonly contributes to treatment delay and poor survival globally. Methods: Physicians who treat retinoblastoma were surveyed to glean underlying reasons for treatment refusal. Results: Refusal rates were higher when less time was spent with parents explaining retinoblastoma/enucleation, and where fewer support services were available. Reasons for refusal included parental belief in alternative treatments, culture, and social stigma. Conclusions: We suggest strategies to increase parental compliance with enucleation and save the lives of children with retinoblastoma.