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Retinoblastoma Treatment in India

Retinoblastoma Treatment in India: Retinoblastoma, also known as ocular retinoblastoma is a very rare form of eye cancer that occurs only in children. The most common ocular tumors in children are retinoblastoma, retinopathy of prematurity, and uveitis. Retinoblastoma usually develops during the first years of life and mainly affects the retina in children between 6 to 36 months of age.

The cancer cells develop in the retina, the light-sensitive part of the eye, which is part of the central nervous system, and therefore the cancer cells can spread to the brain. As cancer can spread to other parts of the brain, children usually have to undergo radiotherapy treatment for a minimum of 30-35 days along with chemotherapy.

What is Retinoblastoma?

The retina is basically located at the back of the eye which senses light and is responsible for sending images to the brain. Retinoblastoma usually occurs in children under the age of 5. Retinoblastoma can also spread to the bone marrow, lymph nodes, or bones.

Types of Retinoblastoma

Unilateral retinoblastoma: This type of retinoblastoma occurs in about 75% of cases and usually affects only one eye. Unilateral retinoblastoma can be either sporadic or hereditary.

Bilateral Retinoblastoma: Bilateral retinoblastoma is indicative of a genetic effect and affects not one but both eyes.

Trilateral retinoblastoma: Intracranial tumors also develop in children who have inherited retinoblastoma.

Causes eye cancer

Retinoblastoma results from the development of a genetic mutation in the nerve cells of the retina. This is the result of these cells growing and multiplying more slowly than dying healthy cells. A tumor is formed due to a continuous buildup of a mass of cells. The condition of retinoblastoma can also affect the eye and some surrounding structures. Retinoblastoma can spread to different parts of the body, such as the spine and brain. There is no specific cause of the genetic mutation that results in retinoblastoma.

Symptoms of Retinoblastoma

The first or early sign of retinoblastoma is the appearance of a cloudy white pupil that looks like a yellow or silvery white in bright light and is known as the cat’s eye reflex or leukocoria. Some other symptoms are –

loss of vision or poor vision
older than normal student
painful red pupil
different colored iris
Stages of Retinoblastoma

Extraocular retinoblastoma is a malignancy that has either progressed outside of the eye or is only present in tissues close to the eye. Additionally, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and the central nervous system may become affected by extraocular retinoblastoma.

Intraocular retinoblastoma is an eye-specific malignancy that may only affect the retina or may have spread to the optic nerve head, choroid, anterior chamber, and ciliary body. There is no chance that intraocular retinoblastoma will spread outside of the eye to the tissues around the eye or to other areas of the body.

bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: During this examination, a

This technique, known as a spinal tap or LP, involves inserting a needle into the spinal column.

CT scan (CAT scan): This procedure aids in producing finely detailed images of body parts, including the eye, from various angles. Computed tomography, computerised tomography, and computerised axial tomography are other names for the method.

Ultrasound examination: Using sound waves,

Retinoblastoma cancer treatment

There are several treatment options available for retinoblastoma which include –

Radiation therapy: This therapy uses high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells.

Thermotherapy (a heat treatment): This procedure uses ultrasound, microwave, or laser devices to deliver extreme heat to destroy cancer cells.

It also helps shrink retinoblastoma tumors that have spread to other areas of the body or outside the eyeball.

Cryotherapy (a cold treatment): This procedure uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. Cancer cells will slowly die because they are not getting oxygen and nutrients.

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