Retinoblastoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Studies of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In most low-income countries, the diagnosis of retinoblastoma is delayed, resulting in a severe prognosis. The objectives of this study were to describe the access to diagnosis and care of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma and the challenges in two sub-Saharan African countries: the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected from the medical records of patients admitted during the period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info7.1 software and SAS 9.3. One hundred sixteen cases of retinoblastoma were collected, including 60 boys and 56 girls. The median diagnosis age was 3 years for both countries. Ninety-eight patients (84%) had unilateral retinoblastoma. Most of the patients presented with advanced disease (76% had extraocular retinoblastoma). Median time between initial symptoms and diagnosis was 8.5 months (range, 0.4 to 116.7 months). Median time between diagnosis and treatment initiation was 31 days (range, 0 to 751 days). The median cost for the treatment of the disease was estimated at $1,954 per patient. Late diagnosis of retinoblastoma, with extraocular disease, occurs frequently in both African countries. It is associated with delay in initiating treatment, and the cost of the treatment remains unaffordable for most of the families. Support groups for parents of affected children and the support of the Franco-African Pediatric Oncology Group remain important in improving early diagnosis and providing treatment in sub-Saharan African countries.