Lack of vincristine infiltrates in patients with retinoblastoma receiving chemotherapy by peripheral intravenous lines.

The delivery route of chemotherapy for intraocular retinoblastoma has become controversial. One objection to systemic delivery is the need for central venous access. We cross-referenced a hospital vascular access database with our tumor registry to determine the incidence of chemotherapy infiltrates. Sixty-five patients received 270 cycles of chemotherapy via peripheral intravenous access. Vincristine infiltration was 0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0-0.16%) while that of non-vesicant chemotherapy was 0.7% (95%CI 0.1-2.6%). Giving chemotherapy via peripheral access to patients with retinoblastoma is safe. It can decrease therapy costs and prevent central line associated blood stream infections.
(© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)