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RETINOBLASTOMA
By: Kristin Gartman
Kristen Ryan
Mario Cotton
What is Retinoblastoma?
Retinoblastoma - (Reh-tin-oh-blast-oma) is a
cancer of one or both eyes which occurs in
young children.
The retinoblastoma tumor(s) originate in the
retina, the light sensitive layer of the eye
which enables the eye to see.
Common Signs
 a white "glow" or "glint" in the pupil in low light
 white pupil in a color photo
 crossed or misaligned eyes
Treatment of Retinoblastoma
 Enucleation
 External beam radiation
 Radioactive plaques
 Laser therapy
 Cryotherapy
 Chemoreduction
Frequency
 United States

250-500 new cases every year
 Worldwide

about 11 cases per million children
younger than 5 years
Who is effected by Retinoblastoma?
 Retinoblastoma affects one in every 15,000 to
30,000 live babies that are born in the United States.
 Retinoblastoma affects children of all races and
both boys and girls.
"Seeds" of retinoblastoma have migrated onto the iris surface.
Info for Parents
 Side Effects of Cancer and Cancer
Treatment


Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
 After Treatment


life-long, follow-up care
Pediatric oncologists will focus on the quality
of the child's life
Questions to Ask the Doctor
 Does my child have the genetic form of
retinoblastoma?
 What is the stage of the disease?
 What are the treatment options?
 What clinical trials are open for my child?
 What treatment do you recommend? Why?
Questions to Ask the Doctor
 What is the likelihood that the recommended




treatment can save my child's vision?
What can I expect chemotherapy to accomplish in the
treatment of my child's cancer?
What are the relative benefits and risks of radiation
treatment in treating my child?
What are the common side effects of each treatment,
in the short term and long term?
What follow-up tests will my child need, and when will
they be needed?
Did you Know
 Retinoblastoma is a cancer
 Retinoblastoma is the most common eye
cancer in children
 Retinoblastoma is about as common as
hemophilia
 Retinoblastoma affects boys as commonly as
girls
Did you Know
 The average age for diagnosis of
retinoblastoma when one eye is involved is
2 years
 There are 350 new cases of retinoblastoma
per year in the U.S. and about 5,000
worldwide
 Retinoblastoma affects all races equally
Diagnostic Facts
 Retinoblastoma is diagnosed with the indirect
ophthalmoscope, ultrasound, CT/MRI scans
 Biopsies are rarely necessary
 Anesthesia for examination and treatment
may be necessary as often as every 2 weeks
 Examination of the parents may help in the
diagnosis of the child