While outcomes are often positive for early-stage cancers, the diagnosis can mean a higher risk of other cancers.
It provides information about coping and life expectancy with retinoblastoma.
There are three types of retinoblastoma, as well as three retinal subtypes.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
Bilateral retinoblastoma (affecting both eyes) isusuallyhereditary.
Trilateral retinoblastoma (affecting both eyes and pineal gland) isalwayshereditary.
Instead, they suspect random errors in gene transcription and have not identified any environmental or lifestyle causes.
How Is Retinoblastoma Diagnosed?
Retinoblastoma Treatment
Most people will have a combination oftreatmentsthat may extend over months or years.
The most important factors that guide treatment protocol include pop in, subtype, and staging.
Enrolling in clinical trials to take advantage of newer treatments may be a promising option for later stage cancers.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Retinoblastoma?
Left untreated, though, retinoblastoma is nearly always fatal.
Almost all children who are treated for retinoblastoma live for five years or more after finishing treatment.
Those who are cancer-free after five years are considered cured.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss and the metastasis of retinoblastoma beyond the eye.
All genders have similar outcomes with the treatment of the disease.
Children from underserved or minority communities are often diagnosed later and therefore have less favorable outcomes.
This is purelysocioeconomic; there is no genetic influence on outcome based on race or ethnicity.
Parents of a child with retinoblastoma need to remember that they did not cause the disease.
Talking to family and friends can be helpful, and therapy orsupport groupsmight help a lot as well.
Start using your voice to convey directives or emotions that would normally be conveyed through facial expressions.
Summary
Retinoblastoma is cancer of the eye that begins in the retina.
A majority of all cases are diagnosed in children under the age of 5.
Retinoblastoma can occur in one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral).
Retinoblastoma can be treated with noninvasive techniques such as laser therapy, cryotherapy, and brachytherapy.
Sometimes these therapies are combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation.
If cancer is in only one eye, removal of the eye may be considered.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss and the metastasis of retinoblastoma beyond the eye.
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