Retinoblastoma

peds

1. RETINOBLASTOMA

2. Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that begins in the retina — the sensitive lining on the inside of the eye. Retinoblastoma most commonly affects young children, but can rarely occur in adults. DEFINITION

3. A rare form of eye cancer, retinoblastoma is the most common form of cancer affecting the eye in children. Retinoblastoma may occur in one or both eyes.

4. Retinoblastoma occurs when nerve cells in the retina develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause the cells to continue growing and multiplying when healthy cells would die. This accumulating mass of cells forms a tumor. Retinoblastoma cells can invade further into the eye and nearby structures. Retinoblastoma can also spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body, including the brain and spine. In the majority of cases, it's not clear what causes the genetic mutations that lead to retinoblastoma. However, it's possible for children to inherit a genetic mutation from their parents. CAUSES

5. Signs of retinoblastoma include: A white color in the center circle of the eye (pupil) when light is shone in the eye, such as when taking a flash photograph Eyes that appear to be looking in different directions Eye redness Eye swelling SYMPTOMS

6. Tests and procedures used to diagnose retinoblastoma include: Eye exam. The eye doctor will conduct an eye exam to determine what's causing the child's signs and symptoms. For a more thorough exam, the doctor may recommend using anesthetics to keep the child still. Imaging tests Consulting with other doctors. TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS

7. What treatments are best for the child's retinoblastoma depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether cancer has spread to areas other than the eye. TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

8. In children with retinoblastoma, chemotherapy may help shrink a tumor so another treatment, may be used to treat the remaining cancer cells. This may improve the chances that the child won't need surgery. Chemotherapy may also be used to treat retinoblastoma that has spread to tissues outside the eyeball or to other areas of the body. CHEMOTHERAPY

9. Internal radiation External beam radiation Laser photocoagulation Cryotherapy Thermotherapy RADIATION THERAPY

10. When the tumor is too large to be treated by other methods, surgery may be used to treat retinoblastoma. In these situations, surgery to remove the eye may help prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Surgery for retinoblastoma includes: SURGERY

11. Surgery to remove the affected eye ( enucleation ). During surgery to remove the eye, surgeons disconnect the muscles and tissue around the eye and remove the eyeball. A portion of the optic nerve, which extends from the back of the eye into the brain, also is removed. Surgery to place an eye implant. Immediately after the eyeball is removed, the surgeon places a special ball — made of plastic or other materials — in the eye socket. The muscles that control eye movement are attached to the implant. After the child heals, the eye muscles will adapt to the implanted eyeball, so it may move just as the natural eye did. However, the implanted eyeball cannot see.

12. Fitting an artificial eye: Several weeks after surgery, a custom-made artificial eye can be placed over the eye implant. The artificial eye can be made to match the child's healthy eye. The artificial eye sits behind the eyelids and clips onto the eye implant.

13. of surgery include: Infection Bleeding Removing an eye will affect the child's vision, though most children will adapt to the loss of an eye over time. SIDE EFFECTS