Retinoblastoma

 WHAT IS RETINOBLASTOMA?

• RETINOBLASTOMA is cancer in the back of the eyes (pupil), seen in children especially less than four years of age.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

• The most common sign is the white colour of the pupil and other signs can be a squint, swelling, redness of eyes, etc. It can occur in both eyes especially if there is family history. Almost half of the children with retinoblastoma are found to have a hereditary factor.

• White colour is visible in the centre circle of the eye (pupil) when light is shone in the eye/eyes or someone takes a flash photograph of the child. (most common)
  • Eyes are not focussed properly, they appear to be looking in different directions. (squint)
  • Poor vision
  • Redness of the eye/ eyes
  • Swelling in the eye/eyes

WILL IT BE POSSIBLE TO SAVE THE EYE IN RETINOBLASTOMA?                                                                                                   

• If the disease is detected early, immediate focused treatment can save the eye. However, only for advanced cases, the eye needs to be removed.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR RETINOBLASTOMA?                                                                                                   

• The treatment includes chemotherapy and surgery and the length of treatment depends on the stage and risk of disease.

WHAT ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR RETINOBLASTOMA?                                           

• The treatment requires chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. For smaller lesions, various options of focussed treatment are available in order to preserve the eye. These options are discussed with the parents based on the staging of the disease.

WHAT IS THE SURVIVAL RATE IN CHILDREN?                                                                                                   

• Most children survive this cancer, there may be vision loss in the affected eye as the eye may have to be surgically removed. Due to early diagnosis and early treatment, intraocular (within the eye) tumor is more curable than extra- ocular (outside the eye extension) malignancies. Chances of survival and preservation of the eye depends fully on the severity (stage of the disease).

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