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Retinoblastoma (reh-tin-oh-blast-oma) is a childhood cancer arising from
immature retinal cells in one or both eyes and can strike from the time a
child is in the womb up to 5 years of age. This cancer is curable if caught
early enough. However, 87% of the children stricken with this disease
worldwide die, mostly in developing countries. In developed countries, 97%
of those who do live have moderate to severe visual impairment.
Retinoblastoma is a relatively uncommon tumor of childhood that accounts for
about 3% of the cancers in children under the age of 15. The tumors
originate in the retina, the light sensitive layer of the eye, which enables
the eye to see. When the tumors are present in one eye, it is referred to as
unilateral retinoblastoma, and when it occurs in both eyes it is referred to
as bilateral retinoblastoma. 60% of the cases involve only one eye
(unilateral); the rest affect both eyes (bilateral). 90% of retinoblastoma
patients have no family history of the disease and only 10% of newly
diagnosed patients have other family members with retinoblastoma.
Early diagnosis and intervention is critical to the successful treatment of
this disease. |
Retinoblastoma - "white glow" often indicating the presence of a
tumor.
Common signs of retinoblastoma include:
a white "glow" or "glint" in the pupil of one or both eyes in dim lighting
white pupil in a color photo
crossed or misaligned eyes
Although it is rare, retinoblastoma can spread or metastasize outside of the
eye to the brain, the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and
the bones. In these cases, chemotherapy is prescribed by a pediatric
oncologist and is administered through the peripheral blood vessels or into
the brain for months to years after initial diagnosis of metastatic disease.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Retinoblastoma by
Parents, Family, & Friends
1. What is retinoblastoma?
Retinoblastoma (reh-tin-oh-blast-oma) is a childhood cancer arising
from immature retinal cells in one or both eyes. The tumors develop
in the human fetus, newborns, infants (premature and full-term), and
preschoolers under age five years.
2. What are the most common signs/symptoms of retinoblastoma? How
can I tell if my child has retinoblastoma?
Among infants and children, common signs of retinoblastoma include
having a white “glow” or “glint” in the pupil of one or both eyes,
the presence of a white pupil in a color photo, and crossed or
misaligned eyes.
3. What causes retinoblastoma?
The gene associated with retinoblastoma causes the tumor only when
it is not working properly. Humans have two copies of this “tumor
suppressor” gene that protect them against retinoblastoma and other
tumors in each cell in their bodies. When both copies of this gene
stop or are prevented from functioning properly, this cancer
develops.
4. Who is at risk?
Ninety percent of retinoblastoma patients have no family history of
the disease and only 10 percent of newly diagnosed patients have
other family members who are retinoblastoma survivors.
5. Who should I contact to find out if my child has retinoblastoma?
Call your primary care physician and ask for an immediate
appointment. Request the physician do a pupil dilation in both eyes
before examining. If your pediatrician is unable or unwilling to do
the pupil dilation, request the name of a pediatric ophthalmologist.
If the physician says everything is fine and you do not agree,
insist on a referral.
Information by http://www.retinoblastoma.net
Additional Links:
www.eyecancermd.com
www.orphancancer.org
www.retinoblastoma.ca/whatis
www.chect.org.uk |
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