RETINOBLASTOMA

TYPES

The types of retinoblastoma may include the following:

• Unilateral retinoblastoma. The cancer is present in just one eye. This type of eye cancer affects 60-75% of the cancer population.
• Bilateral retinoblastoma. This may affect both eyes. Usually, this case is caused by genetic or hereditary factors. Also, the patients with this condition are discovered early.
• Primitive neuroectodermal tumors. In this condition, the tumors are found in the brain’s primitive nerve cells. It is present in children who have hereditary retinoblastoma. 

SYMPTOMS

Since retinoblastoma attacks young children, including infants, its symptoms are unusual or uncommon. The noticeable symptoms are the following:

• Eyes become red and swelling.
• The pupil radiates when there is a source of light.
• Eyes are focused in different directions.

If these symptoms are observed in your children, consult a doctor to conduct tests and diagnose the condition earlier.

DIAGNOSIS

• Eye exam. Your eye specialist will administer an eye test to figure out what’s causing your kid’s signs and indications.
• Imaging tests. This can assist your kid’s primary care physician in deciding if retinoblastoma has spread and influenced different portions of the eye.

TREATMENT

• Chemotherapy. It is a medication therapy that utilizes synthetics to eliminate malignant growth cells.
• Radiation therapy. It utilizes X-rays to get rid of the cells that cause cancer in the eye.
• Laser therapy. It utilizes lasers to ruin the nutrients that supply the tumor and contributes to its growth.
• Cryotherapy. A cold material is used and put in the area where the cancer cells are located. When the cells freeze, that is the time to remove the cells.
• Surgery. If the cancer is no longer treatable using the other options, the physicians will then perform surgery to remove the tumors.