KFSH Preserves the Eye in 84% of Children with One of the Most Common Childhood Eye Tumors

 King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) has succeeded in preserving the eye in 84% of children with retinoblastoma, one of the most common eye cancers in children, while their overall survival reached 100% during the follow-up period. This was achieved through its specialized Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) program, the only program of its kind in Saudi Arabia, which delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumor, reducing exposure of the rest of the body to chemotherapy and limiting its side effects and the need for eye removal.
 Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma broadens treatment options, improves the likelihood of controlling the tumor, and reduces the risk of progression to advanced stages that may threaten vision or allow the disease to spread to other parts of the body, while the appropriate treatment pathway depends on the stage of the disease and the characteristics of each case.
 The program recorded a 93% success rate in performing the procedure, which is carried out by interventional radiology consultants who guide a micro-catheter through the complex blood vessels of children to reach the ophthalmic artery, allowing chemotherapy to be delivered precisely and directly to the tumor while limiting vascular complications.
 This achievement is delivered in coordination with King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KKESH), through a care pathway under which patients are referred to the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology within the Pediatrics & Women’s Centre of Excellence at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) for intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for retinoblastoma.
 KKESH plays a central role in the early diagnosis and referral of retinoblastoma cases, alongside its work in raising public awareness of the disease and training physicians from other specialties to recognize it early, helping children reach treatment at a stage that allows broader options for controlling the tumor and preserving vision.
 This multidisciplinary coordination combines advanced expertise in pediatric oncology and interventional radiology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre with specialized expertise in ophthalmology and eye surgery at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, giving children access to the latest precise and advanced treatment methods, with the aim of controlling the tumor and preserving the eye and vision whenever possible.
 The program highlights the value of coordination between leading national institutions in strengthening pediatric ocular oncology services and improving outcomes for children with retinoblastoma across Saudi Arabia.
 King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 12th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for 2026. It was also recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East for 2026, according to Brand Finance, and listed by Newsweek among the World’s Best Hospitals, World’s Best Smart Hospitals, and World’s Best Specialized Hospitals for 2026.