Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma affects all
races equally
Retinoblastoma 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. This cancer is
adventitious and progressive.
Symptoms
Majority of Retinoblastoma patients
present with a white pupil reflex
instead of a healthy black pupil or
instead of seeing red eyes in a
photograph you would see white
pupils. The second most common way
Retinoblastoma presents itself would
be crossed eyes in which the child’s
eye may turn inward or outward.
Other symptoms that may present
themselves include painful eye, poor
vision, inflammation of tissue
surrounding the eye, enlarged or
dilated pupil, malformed ears, or extra
fingers and toes.
*Symptoms of Retinoblastoma are
usually first detected by the parent.
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
 The average age for diagnosis
of retinoblastoma when one
eye is involved is 2.5 years
Treatment



Enucleated-The eye will be
removed. A ball of plastic, glass,
or coral will be placed in the
eye cavity so there will not be a
hole. The surrounding area will
be treated.
Radiation
Laser Therapy will destroy
small Retinoblastoma tumors.
Laser treatment is done under
local or general anesthesia,
usually does not have any postoperative pain associated with
it, and does not require any
post-operative medications.
References
Abramson, D. Parents Guide to Understanding
Retinoblastoma Retrieved on June 18, 2011
from http://retinoblastoma.com
Finger, P. (n.d.). Eye Cancer. Doctor-approved cancer
information from ASCO | Cancer.Net. Retrieved
June 18, 2011, from http://www.cancer.net
Learn About Cancer. (2010, Jul9). American Cancer
Society: Information and Resources for Cancer:
Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms.
Retrieved July 17, 2010, from http://cancer.org
Retinoblastoma. (n.d.). Retinoblastoma information as well
as other eye cancers and eye tumors. Retrieved
June 18, 2011, from
http://www.retinoblastomainfo.com
Vang, C. (2009, February 13). UW Eye Research Institute.
UW Eye Research Institute-Point of View, Fall
2007. Retrieved June 18, 2011, from
http://vision.wisc.edu