Rb Fast Facts
Introduction to Rb
Global Incidence
Signs and Symptoms
Referral and Diagnosis
Staging Systems
Exam Under Anaesthetic
Treatment Options
Clinical Trials
Follow Up and Prognosis
RB1 Genetics
Glossary Of Terms
Between 40-50 children are newly diagnosed each year in the UK, 275-300 in the USA, and 20-25 in Canada. Countries with high birth rates, like India, diagnose more than 1500 children with retinoblastoma each year. 92% of children with retinoblastoma live in developing nations.
Symptoms
The most easily recognisable symptom is an abnormal appearance of the pupil, which reflects light as a white reflex (leukocoria), like a cat's eye. This is usually only visible in low artificial lighting or in photographs where a flash has been used. Occasionally a squint or crossed eyes can be the first sign of retinoblastoma.
Treatment
Current treatments include laser, cryotherapy (freezing the tumour), systemic and localised chemotherapy, brachytherapy (radioactive plaque sewn directly onto the tumour), radiotherapy and enucleation (surgical removal of the eye).
Prognosis
With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, 97% children with retinoblastoma can be cured today, creating one of the highest cure rates, and best success stories of all childhood cancers.
However, without early intervention, the cancer will quickly spread beyond the eye, travelling directly to the brain, or invading the bone marrow. Untreated retinoblastoma is fatal. 7,000 children die every year due to lack of access to appropriate care.
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