Patterns of retinoblastoma in Zimbabwe: 2000-2009

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignant tumour of childhood but it remains a rare disease. It occurs more commonly in less affluent regions of the world compared to richer regions. The incidence of retinoblastoma within age group 0-4 years varies from country to country. Africa generally has a higher incidence especially in the sub Saharan Africa region ranging from 10.6 to 42.5cases per million. This is in contrast to developed countries where in the USA, the incidence is 11.8 and in Europe it ranges from 6-12. Bulgaria has the lowest incidence of 3.4 cases per million."' In Zimbabwe the incidence of retinoblastoma is estimated at 23.3 per million ranking 3rd highest in the world after Uganda and Mali.