1. Treatment adherence in retinoblastoma: A retro-prospective cohort study in Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Author
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Lukamba RM, Budiongo AN, Monga BB, Yao A, Bey P, Chenge GB, Desjardins L, Doz F, Mwembo AT, Kabesha TA, and Luboya ON
- Abstract
Background: In high-income countries, retinoblastoma is curable in more than 95% of cases, whereas in low-income countries, mortality remains high, especially when the diagnosis is made late or the treatment is discontinued., Aims: To determine the factors associated with adherence to the treatment of retinoblastoma in the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)., Methods and Results: A retro-prospective cohort study was carried out. Data were collected from patient folders and follow-up records of parents., Results: A total of 175 children with retinoblastoma were registered from January 2013 to December 2015. Seventy-six children (43%) were 5 years old and above. Care costs were covered by families in 86.9% of cases. Chemotherapy refusal was recorded in 39 cases (22.3%), and enucleation refusal was recorded in 79 cases (45.1%). After 36 months of follow-up, we recorded 16.6% deaths, 27.4% treatment dropouts, and 18.3% loss to follow-up after treatment. The commonest cause for enucleation refusal was fear of infirmity, while chemotherapy refusal and absconding treatment were due to financial constraints., Conclusion: Poor adherence to retinoblastoma management was due to financial constraints, and a lack of knowledge of the disease and its treatment. Family psychosocial support is needed to improve this condition., (© 2023 The Authors. Cancer Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)
- Published
- 2023
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