AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of VEC combined with laser in treatment of retinoblastoma(RB)in children with different ages.

METHODS: Totally 63 children with RB intraocular phase in our hospital were selected as subjects. According to their ages, they were divided into 1 year old group(n=23, 36 eyes), >1 year old group(n=40, 66 eyes). All of them were treated with VEC combined with laser therapy. Indirect ophthalmoscope and ultrasound were used to measure the thickness and diameter of tumor and tumor base before treatment and after 6 treatment courses.

RESULTS: The remission rate in the 1 year old group was 75.0%, and that in the >1 year old group was 92.4%(P<0.05). In the 1 year old group, 5 eyes were developed, and in the >1 year old group, 1 eye was removed. The average tumor thickness and average base diameter of the remaining eyes after treatment were significantly smaller than those before treatment(P<0.05). The mean thickness and mean diameter of base of >1 year old group were smaller than those of 1 year old group(P<0.05). Two groups of children had mild nausea and vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms and hair loss,1 year old group had 1 case of mild myelosuppression and liver function damage, >1 year old group had 2 cases of mild myelosuppression,1 case of mild liver function damage.

CONCLUSION:VEC combined with laser is safe and feasible in the treatment of children with intraocular RB. >1 year old group is better than 1 year old group.