Biochemical measures of ovarian function in female survivors of retinoblastoma treated with intra-arterial melphalan: an initial report

Ophthalmic Genet. 2022 Dec;43(6):806-808. doi: 10.1080/13816810.2022.2132516.

Abstract

Since 2006, ophthalmic artery chemosurgery (OAC) has been used for ocular-sparing treatment of retinoblastoma. Systemic exposure to melphalan is known to cause ovarian dysfunction, but the effect of melphalan-based OAC has not yet been determined. Here, we assess biochemical and symptomatic measures of ovarian function in a cohort of pubertal female survivors of retinoblastoma treated with melphalan-based OAC. These 13 patients all had normal gonadotropins at a median age of 11.1 years, 9.6 years from the completion of therapy. None had symptoms of ovarian dysfunction. This study provides initial evidence that ovarian function remains intact after melphalan-based OAC.

Keywords: Retinoblastoma; ovarian function; survivorship.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carboplatin / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Electroretinography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infusions, Intra-Arterial
  • Melphalan / adverse effects
  • Ophthalmic Artery / surgery
  • Retinal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Retinoblastoma* / drug therapy
  • Retinoblastoma* / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survivors
  • Topotecan
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Melphalan
  • Carboplatin
  • Topotecan