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About RetinoblastomaWhat is Retinoblastoma?Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a fast growing eye cancer of early childhood. Approximately 45% of children with retinoblastoma have the inheritable form of the disease. About two thirds of children with Rb have only one eye affected and in one third, tumours will develop in both eyes. Rb almost always develops before 5 years of age, and some children are born with the cancer. How common is it?Retinoblastoma is rare. Between 40-50 children are newly diagnosed each year in the UK, and it accounts for only about 3 out of every 100 cancers occurring in children under the age of 15 years. What are the symptoms?The most common symptom is an abnormal appearance of the pupil, which tends to reflect light as a white reflex, like a cat's eye. This is usually only visible to the naked eye in low artificial lighting, or in photographs where a flash has been used. Sometimes children have a squint. Less common signs are deterioration of vision, a red and irritated eye, pain, failure to thrive or delayed development. It is possible to see tumours using an instrument called an opthalmascope. If you are concerned, you should visit your GP or optician and ask for an examination, but full diagnosis is only made after an examination under anesthetic. What is the treatment?A number of different therapies are used to treat Rb. These include laser, cryotherapy (freezing the tumour), chemotherapy (drug treatment), radioactive plaque, radiotherapy and enucleation (surgical removal of the eye). The type of treatment received will depend on factors such as the size, location and number of tumours within the eye, and the potential for vision. If both eyes are affected, each eye will be treated on its own merit. PrognosisConsiderable advances in the treatment of Rb have been made over the past two decades, leading to one of the highest cure rates among childhood cancer patients. 9 out of 10 children are now successfully treated, and most retain some useful vision. Close surveillance of all children with a family history of retinoblastoma leads to earlier diagnosis and successful treatment. You can find out about all of this in detail from the sections on the left or contact us on 020 7377 5578 email us at info@chect.org.uk |
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