Dear Readers,
Retinoblastoma is an eye tumor primarily affecting children under 5 years of age. It affects either one eye or both regardless of sex or race. About 1 in 15000 live births has a chance to get retinoblastoma. The retinoblastoma may be caused by inheritance of defective gene or random change in a normal gene called Retinoblastoma1 (RB1 gene) named after the discovery. Children who inherit the defective RB1 gene have 90% chance of getting the disease. The risk factors suggested for retinoblastoma include HPV infections in mother during pregnancy or other occupational exposure to toxic compounds in parents.

White reflex or Leucocoria is the common symptom and squint, redness are other symptoms for retinoblastoma tumor. The tumor is clinically confirmed by looking the fundus of children under anaesthesia using a Retcam, along with the other imaging methods. The treatment will be based on the size and extent of tumor that varies from a local Transpupillary thermo therapy, systemic chemotherapy and/or enucleation. It is always better to detect and treat the retinoblastoma early in order to save life, globe and vision. Genetics has contributed largely to the management of retinoblastoma in the era of modern medicine.

This issue of Site-News focus on the multiple aspects of retinoblastoma.

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Regards,
Library Team