Retinoblastoma: Bridging the gap in diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria

Retinoblastoma is generally curable and the most common intraocular childhood cancer, with a 3-year survival of 95 %-99.5 % in high-income countries compared to 80 % in MICs and 57 % in LMICs. This article highlights the gap in retinoblastoma management as well as the efforts made to improve its diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria, a case study for a LMIC. Perspective article This perspective is based on the authors clinical and programmatic experience in developing national and regional retinoblastoma services, combined with synthesis of published evidence and collaborative inputs from African and international partners involved in retinoblastoma care. Multi-level scalable strategies, including task shifting, affordable treatment innovations, legislation, telemedicine, regional and international collaborative efforts have been implemented successfully. These efforts transformed a new service into a referral center and established a network of retinoblastoma services. Human capacity was developed to enhance early detection, improve access and delivery of essential treatments, and attract resources, thereby enabling cure within a resource-limited setting. Increasing national, regional and global initiatives remain crucial not only to scale up successful programs but also to urgently address the lack universal access to care, genetic testing across many African countries, and survivorship support, providing long-term care of complications, including other non-ocular cancers, which are becoming evident, thereby closing the survival gaps and offering a model for retinoblastoma care progress