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A Glossary of Terms.

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Retinoblastoma is a very complex cancer,  The different medical terms can be really confusing and complicated too.

This glossary covers the more common terms relating to Rb and its various treatments.  We hope it will help demystify the language surrounding Rb, and help answer some questions you may have.

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Adjuvant A therapy used in addition to, or accompanying another treatment. Autologious Bone Marrow Transplant Procedure used to “rescue” a patient’s bone marrow system following chemotherapy.  Stem cells are removed from the patient, who then receives high-dose chemotherapy to destroy the malignant cells.  The stem cells are then given back to the patient as an infusion into a vein.  The stem cells produce new blood and immune cells to replace the cells destroyed by intensive chemotherapy. Bilateral Retinoblastoma Tumours in both eyes.  Bilateral Rb is always heritable. Brachytherapy Tiny pellets containing radioactive material, which are sewn directly onto the tumour and remain in place of a period of 1-4 days.  Also called radioactive plaque therapy. Central Venous Catheter A thin flexible tube surgically inserted into a large vein in the chest, for delivery of regular chemotherapy.  The other end of the catheter may either be outside the body or attached to a small device just under the skin. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) A clear fluid which bathes the brain. Chemotherapy Drug treatment of cancer. Chromosome A collection of DNA which can be seen under a microscope.  There are 22 pairs of chromosomes, and two sex chromosomes.   Cryotherapy A procedure which applies extreme cold to the tumour, freezing cancerous tissues. EUA - Examination Under Anaesthesia An eye examination carried out under general anaesthesia.  Extraocular Retinoblastoma Retinoblastoma which has spread beyond the eye. Genes A sequence of DNA containing Instructions which control the way we grow and develop.  Genetic counselling An educational counselling process for individuals and families affected by or at risk for heritable disease.  Provides information to help make informed decisions about genetic testing and treatment of the specific disease. Genetic Testing Tests done in either children or adults to locate the mutations responsible for retinoblastoma, aid prediction of treatment response and potential relapse, identify future risk for the patient, patient’s children and other blood relatives.  Hereditary Retinoblastoma Retinoblastoma caused by a mutation which has been passed on from a parent. Heritable Retinoblastoma Retinoblastoma caused by a mutation which can be passed on to the next generation. Laser/Photocoagulation Focused beams of light are delivered through an ophthalmoscope, killing cancer cells by destroying their blood supply. Leukocoria A white reflection in the eye, caused by a tumour preventing light from reaching the retina, and reflecting it back as a whitish glow, like a cat’s eye. Macula A small area of specially light-sensitive cells in the centre of the retina which allows clear visualisation of fine detail. Ophthalmoscopy Examination of the inside of the eye, using either a head lamp or a hand-held device to examine the eye. Peri-ocular chemotherapy Injection of chemotherapy agents directly into the eye. Port-a-cath A thin flexible tube surgically inserted into a large vein in the chest, for delivery of regular chemotherapy.  The tube is attached to a small device just under the skin, which is accessed using a special needle. Radiotherapy Treatment with ionizing radiation.  High-energy rays are used to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing. Radioactive plaque Tiny pellets containing radioactive material, which are sewn directly onto the tumour and remain in place of a period of 1-4 days. Retina Light sensitive nerve layer which lines the back of the eye.  The retina creates impulses that travel through the optic nerve to the brain. Somatic Cell Mutation A mutation which has occurred in any cell other than the germ cells (egg or sperm). Stem Cell Rescue Procedure used to “rescue” a patient’s bone marrow system following chemotherapy.  Stem cells are removed from the patient, who then receives high-dose chemotherapy to destroy the malignant cells.  The stem cells are then given back to the patient as an infusion into a vein.  The stem cells produce new blood and immune cells to replace the cells destroyed by intensive chemotherapy. Systemic Chemotherapy Chemotherapy which affects the entire body. Trilateral Retinoblastoma A rare form of heritable retinoblastoma which causes malignant tumours in both the eye(s) and the brain. Unilateral Retinoblastoma Tumour{s) affecting only one eye. Vitreous Humor A clear, jelly-like substance filling the middle of the eye. Vitreous seeding Tiny fragments which break off the main tumour and invade the vitreous humor.

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