Eyes

Retinoblastoma – commonest eye cancer in kids

• Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy of children.
• The molecular genetics of retinoblastoma indicate that the cell of origin is neuronal.
• Approximately 40% of cases occur in patients who inherit a germline mutation of one RB allele.
• Chemotherapy is often the first of treatment to attempt to reduce the tumour followed by laser treatment or cryopexy.
• Spread is to the brain and bone marrow and seldom to the lungs.
• Prognosis is poor if there is extra ocular extension and invasion along the optic nerve, and by choroidal invasion