What is retinoblastoma (RB)?
Retinoblastoma is a kind of eye cancer that most often affects children between birth and five years of age.
The retinoblastoma tumour(s) starts in the retina, the light sensitive layer of the eye that enables the eye to see.
What are the signs/symptoms of retinoblastoma?
Parents are often the first to notice the signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma which include:
- Whiteness reflected in the pupil of a baby’s eye. This is particularly noticeable when the pupil is dilated (leukocoria). This is the most common indicator.
- One or both of the child’s eyes turned inward or outward. This is often called lazy eye, crossed eyes, or a wandering eye (strabismus), and happens as a result of poor vision in the affected eye.
- Redness and/or swelling of the eye(s). This is less common.
If a parent notices these symptoms in their child, it is important to visit a doctor of optometry straight away to test for causes.
How is retinoblastoma treated?
What treatments are best for retinoblastoma depends on the size and location of the tumour, whether cancer has spread to areas other than the eye, and the child’s overall health.
Radiation can be used to kill the cancer cells.
Internal radiation is achieved by placing a small radioactive disk that is stitched in place near the tumour and left there for several days. This localizes the treatment and avoids damage to other healthy parts of the eye.
External radiation is much more invasive and is often reserved for tumours that are non-responsive to other treatments.
Laser therapy, cold therapy (cryotherapy) and heat therapy (thermo therapy) can also be used. If the tumour is unresponsive to other treatments or is too large, surgical removal of the tumour, or in some cases the entire eye, may be the only option.
The 5-year survival rate of retinoblastoma for children is 99% in Canada.
Remember to bring your child to the optometrist for regular comprehensive eye examinations and consult your optometrist if you notice any changes in your child’s eye health or vision.