Subscribe Feed (RSS)Retinoblastoma
December 23rd, 2008 by admin | Filed under Uncategorized.Retinoblastoma is eye
cancer, which is found on the surface of the retina. New technological advances
are being made every day in the treatment of Retinoblastoma, and one of the most
common treatments used is cryotherapy, or the freezing of the cancerous tissue.
Children and adults, men
and women are all equally susceptible to this type of eye cancer. Generally the
two classifications are intraocular and extraocular retinoblastoma. These mean
simply that the cancer is either localized to the retina, or it has spread
throughout the body.
Studies have shown that in the United
States and northern Europe areas, retinoblastoma occurs once in every 15,000 to
20,000 births. About a two quarters of the cases are hereditary and have been
linked to a specific gene mutation. The cancer can occur in one or both eyes.
Fatal if left untreated which is most common, the tumors can spread to the brain
via the optic nerve. Treatment for retinoblastoma can include chemotherapy,
radiation and surgery. In some cases, the eye must be removed. The overall
five-year survival rate for children with retinoblastoma in the United States is
93 percent.
The classification of a
specific case and how affected the patient’s vision, work to help the medical
doctor’s determine a prognosis. The treatment plan will be developed around
these and other factors including the health of the patient and the latest
treatment advances.
In order to determine the
presence of this cancer in other parts of the body, once retinoblastoma is
diagnosed, a lumbar puncture may be performed. Also, a CT scan or MRI will
provide information crucial to the patient’s treatment.
Written by
Joe Lovrek
expresslinking.com/ Express Linking
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