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    Retinoblastoma by: Donald Piring

May 13, 2004

   What is Retinoblastoma?

   Retinoblastoma (pronounced reh-tin-oh-blast-oma) is a childhood cancer that arises from immature retinal cells in one or both eyes.  It can strike from the time a child is still in the womb up to 5 years of age.  Early Retinoblastoma may look like this.  Retinoblastoma can continue to get worse, and may look like this (warning: very "graphic" content!).

   What Are the Treatments of Retinoblastoma?

   Retinoblastoma can be treated in several ways.  Below are some treatment methods and brief summaries of the method:

   Enucleation - Using Enucleation, the child can be treated by removing the eye.  Then, it is replaced with an artificial eye.  This artificial eye, of course, has no vision.  Here is a picture of a child who suffered from Retinoblastoma, and was treated using enucleation (graphic).

   External Beam Radiation - The tumor is radiosensitive, and therefore, this method is effective.  The radiation may cause damage to the surrounding structures of the eye.  These structures include the lens (cataract), lachrymal system (dry eye), orbit (bone maldevelopment) etc.  It also increases the probability of developing secondary tumor of the  bone, especially in children who have Retinoblastoma in both eyes.

   Localized Plaque Radiation Therapy - With this method, a radioactive plaque is applied close to the tumor on the sclera.  It significantly decreases local complications associated with radiation therapy.

   Photocoagulation - Photocoagulation is laser treatment.  It is effective and safe for smaller tumors.  This method may help preserve the eye and sight of the child. 

   Cryotherapy - In Cryotherapy, a special probe is applied on the external surface of the eye, freezing the tumor.  Cryotherapy is done under direct observation.  It is effective in saving both the eye and sight of patients with a smaller tumor.

   Chemotherapy - Anti-cancer drugs are used as treatment.  They may decrease the tumor size so it can be treated with other methods (i.e. laser, Cryotherapy, and plaque radiation).

   Are There Any Positive Aspects of Retinoblastoma?

   No.  Did you think something like this has a good side? (See next question)

   Are There Any Negative Aspects of Retinoblastoma?

   Yes.  Having a Retinoblastoma tumor can increase the chance of developing other tumors.  Some other tumors include osteogenic sarcoma (a tumor that affects the bone).  Treatment of Retinoblastoma aims for the saving of the child's eye, sight, cosmesis (A concern in therapeutics, especially in surgical operations, for the appearance of the patient) and life.  Retinoblastoma is fatal.

Bibliography

Merck & Co., Inc.  The Merck Manual.  Fifteenth Edition.  Rathway, N.J.:  Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, 1987.

Visitech.  "Retinoblastoma."  http://www.visitech.org/retinoblastoma.html

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.  "Fighting Retinoblastoma."  http://www.rbsociety.org.uk,  2004

Retinoblastoma International.  "Retinoblastoma.Net"  http://www.restinoblastoma.net

Abramson, David H.  "Parent's Guide to Understanding Retinoblastoma."  http://www.retinoblastoma.com

Priority Digital.  "Retinoblastoma."  http://www.retinoblastoma.ca,   2002

Dept. of Medical Oncology.  "Cosmesis from On-Line Medical Dictionary."  http://www.cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk,   2004