Retinoblastoma

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Eye

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Retinoblastoma

Alternative Names:

Tumor - retina; Cancer - retina

Treatment:

Treatment options depend upon the size and location of the tumor. Small tumors may be treated by laser surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy may be needed if the tumor has spread beyond the eye.

The eye may need to be removed if the tumor does not respond to other treatments. It is important to seek treatment from a physician with experience treating this rare type of tumor.

Expectations (prognosis):

If the cancer has not spread beyond the eye, almost all patients can be cured, though cure may require aggressive treatment and even removal of the eye to be successful. If the cancer has spread beyond the eye, the likelihood of a cure is much lower and depends on which organs are affected.

Complications:

Spread of the tumor to the brain or other locations can occur.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if signs or symptoms of retinoblastoma are present, especially if your child's eyes look abnormal or appear abnormal in photographs.

Review Date: 4/23/2004
Reviewed By: Samuel Blackman, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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