How Does Retinoblastoma Affect the Body?
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Retinoblastoma
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Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer that affects the retina of the eyes. In 75 percent of cases, only one eye is involved, though some patients will have it in both eyes. Tumors form in the eye that can damage the internal structure if left to grow unchecked. The tumors can also spread to the brain, eye socket, lungs and bones.
Retinoblastoma is the leading cause of eye cancers, especially among children. Most cases are diagnosed before the age of two, and 95 percent occur in children under the age of five. The two main signs are leukocoria (the pupil appears white when exposed to light in a darkened room) and strabismus (crossed eyes). There is a 90 percent cure rate for the tumors in children.
Primary Treatments
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Retinoblastoma can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation, depending on the stage and grade of the tumor. There is anecdotal evidence suggesting radiation treatment can be more effective faster, but also might lead to the development of a secondary cancer, such as bladder, lung or skin cancer, later in life. About 58 percent of children treated with radiation end up with another type of cancer versus the 26 percent of children treated with chemotherapy.
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Complementary Treatments
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Cryotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with radiation. A freezing agent is applied to the tumor to freeze the cancer cells and kill them permanently. Photocoagulation uses a laser to burn away the tumor and is another therapy often paired with radiation. Photocoagulation is sometimes used exclusively for a single, small tumor occurring in just one eye.
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