RETINOBLASTOMA
A systematic review of treatment outcomes for retinoblastoma in children
Background
Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumour of the retina that generally affects children under the age of six. In 2003 the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group (NSCAG) of the Department of Health commissioned CRD to map the available evidence of treatment outcomes for retinoblastoma in children. As a result of the scoping review, a full systematic review was commissioned. This systematic review compared treatment outcomes for retinoblastoma in children from interventions that involved early radiotherapy with other procedures, such as surgery and chemotherapy.Findings
The evidence-base for effectiveness of treatments for childhood retinoblastoma is extremely limited. Due to the considerable limitations of the evidence identified, it was not possible to reach meaningful and robust conclusions about the relative effectiveness of different treatment approaches for childhood retinoblastoma.
Conducted by: C McDaid1
, S Hartley1, A-M Bagnall1, G Ritchie1, K Light1, R Riemsma1
1. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
Further details
Project page on HTA Programme websitePublications
McDaid C, Hartley S, Bagnall AM, Ritchie G, Light K, Riemsma R. Systematic review of effectiveness of different treatments for childhood retinoblastoma. Health Technol Assess. 2005;9(48):1-162
Bagnall AM, Riemsma RP, Ritchie G. Scoping review of treatment outcomes for Retinoblastoma in children. York: University of York; 2003. A report to the funders
McDaid CM, Hartley S, Bagnall AM, Ritchie G, Light K, Riemsma RP. Need for high-quality studies in health technology assessments: the case of a systematic review of treatment for retinoblastoma. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2006;22(4):408-18