Examining the impact of anesthesia on brain development in children with retinoblastoma

Incidence of Neurocognitive Deficits in Patients After Treatment for Retinoblastoma With Multiple Anesthesia Exposures

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT03546387

This study is trying to see if having anesthesia for retinoblastoma treatment affects how well children think and develop compared to those who haven't had anesthesia.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment75 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, Radiation
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT03546387 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the effects of multiple anesthesia exposures on cognitive function in children treated for retinoblastoma. It compares neurodevelopment outcomes in children who have undergone anesthesia for retinoblastoma treatment with those who have never been exposed to anesthesia. Various cognitive assessments, including the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and other developmental tests, will be utilized to evaluate differences in brain development. The study is conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, focusing on a specific age group of pediatric patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 6 to 17 years who have been treated for retinoblastoma and have had multiple exposures to anesthesia.

Not a fit: Patients with secondary diseases associated with developmental delays or those who have undergone certain treatments or surgeries unrelated to retinoblastoma may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the cognitive risks associated with anesthesia in young patients, potentially guiding safer treatment protocols.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies examining the effects of anesthesia on cognitive function, this specific focus on pediatric retinoblastoma patients is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 6 and \< 17 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of any secondary disease associated with developmental delay
* History of second cancer diagnosis
* Legal Blindness
* Past surgery of any type, with the exception of enucleation for retinoblastoma
* Past exposure to anesthesia for surgical intervention
* More than one anesthesia encounter for surgical intervention before diagnosis at MSK
* Past External Beam Radiation for treatment of retinoblastoma
* Past systemic chemotherapy
* Non-native speaker of English; however, children whose parents speak only Spanish will be included, because the tests for parents are available in Spanish

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Pediatric Retinoblastoma, Retinoblastoma, 18-126, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.