Riyadh: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) has reported significant success in preserving the eye in 84% of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a prevalent childhood eye tumor, while achieving a 100% overall survival rate during the follow-up period. This accomplishment is attributed to its specialized Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) program, the only one of its kind in Saudi Arabia, which administers chemotherapy directly to the tumor, thereby minimizing exposure to the rest of the body and limiting side effects and the necessity for eye removal.
According to Saudi Press Agency, early detection of retinoblastoma broadens treatment options, enhances the likelihood of tumor control, and reduces the risk of progression to advanced stages that could threaten vision or allow the disease to metastasize. The appropriate treatment approach is determined by the disease stage and individual case characteristics.
The program boasts a 93% success rate in the procedure, executed by interventional radiology consultants who navigate a micro-catheter through children's complex blood vessels to reach the ophthalmic artery. This precise delivery of chemotherapy targets the tumor directly while minimizing vascular complications.
This achievement is realized in collaboration with King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KKESH). Patients are referred to the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at KFSH's Pediatrics and Women's Centre of Excellence for IAC treatment for retinoblastoma.
KKESH is crucial in the early diagnosis and referral of retinoblastoma cases. It also works to raise public awareness and train physicians from various specialties to recognize the disease early, facilitating timely treatment that offers wider options for tumor control and vision preservation.
The multidisciplinary collaboration merges advanced pediatric oncology and interventional radiology expertise at KFSH with specialized ophthalmology and eye surgery knowledge at KKESH. This coordination provides children access to the latest precise and advanced treatment methods to control the tumor and preserve eye function whenever possible.
The program underscores the importance of cooperation between leading national institutions in enhancing pediatric ocular oncology services and improving outcomes for children with retinoblastoma across Saudi Arabia.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has achieved recognition as the top-ranked academic medical center in the Middle East and Africa and 12th globally among the world's top 250 academic medical centers for 2026. It was also honored as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East for 2026 by Brand Finance and was listed by Newsweek among the World's Best Hospitals, World's Best Smart Hospitals, and World's Best Specialized Hospitals for 2026.