Retinoblastoma (eye cancer in children)
Introduction
Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that can affect young children (usually under five years of age).
If it's picked up early, retinoblastoma can often be successfully treated (children treated for retinoblastoma diagnosed at an early stage have a survival rate of more than 95%).
Retinoblastoma can either affect one or both eyes.If it affects both eyes, it'susually diagnosed before a child is one year old. If it affects one eye, it tends to be diagnosed later (between the ages of two and three).
This page covers:
- Symptoms of retinoblastoma
- Causes of retinoblastoma
- Diagnosing retinoblastoma
- Treating retinoblastoma
- Screening for retinoblastoma
- Getting support
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016
Introduction
Read about retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer that affects young children. Information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, plus help and support.
Signs and symptomsof retinoblastoma
Signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma include: an unusual white reflectionin thepupil this may be apparentin photos where only the healthy eye appears red from the flash, or you may notice itin a dark
Whatcauses retinoblastoma?
Retinoblastoma is cancer of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye.During the early stages of a baby's development, retinal eye cells grow very quickly and then st
Diagnosingretinoblastoma
Your GP will carry out a'red reflex test' in a darkened roomusing an ophthalmoscope (a magnifyinginstrument witha light at one end).When a light is shone into your child's eyes, your GP will see a red
Treatingretinoblastoma
Your child will be treated by a specialist retinoblastoma team at either the Royal London Hospital or Birmingham Children's Hospital.However, if your child needschemotherapy, it will usually be carrie
Screeningfor retinoblastoma
If you're expecting a baby and you had retinoblastoma yourself as a child, or you have a family history of retinoblastoma, it's important to tell your GP or midwife.This is because in some cases retin
Gettingsupport
The specialist teams at the retinoblastoma centres at The Royal London Hospital and Birmingham Children's Hospital have a wealth of knowledge about retinoblastoma. You can discuss any worries or conce
Subscribe
Ask the doctor
Rate this article
Find products