subject: Treatment For Retinoblastoma India [print this page] Retinoblastoma is a rare, cancerous tumor of a part of the eye called the retina. Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that usually develops in early childhood, typically before the age of 5. This form of cancer develops in the retina, which is the specialized light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and color. In most children with retinoblastoma, the disease affects only one eye. However, one out of three children with retinoblastoma develops cancer in both eyes. The most common first sign of retinoblastoma is a visible whiteness in the pupil called "cat's eye reflex". Retinoblastoma is a relatively uncommon tumor of childhood that arises in the retina and accounts for about 3% of the cancers occurring in children younger than 15 years.
Causes
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Retinoblastoma occurs when nerve cells in the retina develop genetic mutations that cause the cells to continue growing and multiplying when healthy cells would die. This accumulating mass of cells forms a tumor. Retinoblastoma cells can invade further into the eye and nearby structures. Retinoblastoma can also spread to other areas of the body, including the brain and spine.
Common symptoms of Retinoblastoma
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The pupil of the eye appears white instead of red when light shines into it known as cat's eye reflex or white eye. This may be seen in flash photographs of the patient.
The eyes appear to be looking in different directions (crossed eyes).
Pain or redness in the eye.
An enlarged or dilated pupil
Blurred vision or poor vision
Different colored irises.
Treatment for Retinoblasma
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Treatments are selected based on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Options for retinoblastoma treatment may include enucleation, various forms of radiation therapy, cryotherapy, and different types of chemotherapy. When only one eye is involved, enucleation is usually the treatment of choice. Children adjust very well to the loss of one eye, and their vision does not suffer a great deal.
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