Retinoblastoma, or retinoblastoma, is a childhood cancer that originates in the receptor cells of the retina. The retina is a specific membrane located inside the eyeball that is responsible for receiving visual stimuli. These stimuli are then transmitted via the optic nerve to the cerebral cortex, where they are analysed.
Retinoblastoma is the most common ocular tumour of childhood. It most often develops in one eye, less frequently both eyes. The average age of onset is two years of age. Sometimes, the tumour can also develop in adults. As far as the aetiology is concerned, hereditary factors are responsible for only about 20 per cent of cases, in which case the lesion is usually localised bilaterally; in the remaining cases, the tumour develops sporadically. The incidence is estimated to be 4-5 cases per million children. The diagnosis is made after an ophthalmological examination, which is performed under anaesthesia after pupil dilation. Ultrasonography and CT scanning are helpful.
Symptoms and course retinoblastoma
The most common symptoms found in children with retinoblastoma are leucocoria, or the so-called cat-eye glare, and strabismus. Sometimes there is redness and pain in the eye, usually arising as a consequence of secondary infections or bleeding into the eye chamber. The tumour usually develops rapidly, and within a short period of time the retina may be destroyed and the tumour may spread inside the eyeball. The lesion may infiltrate the eyeball or spread intracranially via the optic nerve.
When to go to the doctor and treating retinoblastoma
A doctor should be consulted if non-specific eye changes are noticed in a child, if a child starts complaining of eye complaints. If there is a family history of this type of cancer, ask your doctor when and how often a preventive examination should be carried out.
Treatment retinoblastoma
In the case of binaural, multifocal and congenital forms, the treatment of choice is chemotherapy. Enucleation, i.e. removal of the eyeball, is indicated when infiltration outside the eyeball is found and when the eyeball is completely filled with a tumour mass with secondary glaucoma and involvement of the anterior chamber of the eye. In other cases, local treatment methods in the form of laser, cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation are applicable.