Retinoblastoma Treatment
Retinoblastoma: An Overview
Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer of the eye, which most commonly occurs in children. It is one of the types of eye cancer that arises from the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive lining on the inside of our eye. It is composed of nerve tissue that senses the light falling on it once it enters the eye. After detecting the light, the retina uses the optic nerve to send signals to the brain, which are finally interpreted as /images.
Retinoblastoma is a severe condition that leads to vision loss and can result in death if it is not treated in time. However, early retinoblastoma treatment not just saves a life but in many cases, even the affected eye can be saved.
Why Choose Retinoblastoma Treatment At Centre for Sight?
Retinoblastoma treatment is highly complex and often requires multiple modalities. Centre for Sight ensures you get the advanced treatment methods conducted by domain experts to provide the best possible retinoblastoma treatment in India.
Our eye hospital in Delhi is equipped with the latest technology and treatment methods to diagnose retinoblastoma effectively.
Looking For Retinoblastoma Treatment,
Book An Appointment With Centre for Sight Today
Retinoblastoma Symptoms
Retinoblastoma mostly affects infants and children, usually younger than six years of age. It can either affect only one eye or both. Though symptoms of retinoblastoma may be hard to detect, here are some signs that you may notice:
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White eye reflection in the eyes of kids:
The presence of a white-coloured reflex shining at the centre of the eye when light falls on it, like the flash of a camera.
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Swelling or bulging of the eye:
The affected eye may appear more prominent than the other.
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Squint:
Both the eyes may appear to be looking in different directions.
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Decrease of Vision:
The affected eye may seem wandering or not fixating on objects.
Retinoblastoma Causes
Genetic mutations cause retinoblastoma in the eye; the damaging cells keep growing and multiplying abnormally. Due to this unhealthy growth, the accumulating mass of cells eventually forms a tumour.
Retinoblastoma can also spread, in some cases, to other parts of the body, including the brain.
A family history concerning this eye disorder is also one of the causes of retinoblastoma. It can be inherited from the family. However, it may also occur when there is no family history regarding this eye condition.
What should I do if I suspect retinoblastoma?
| Step-1 | You should make an appointment with the doctor when you notice any significant change to your child’s eyes. | |
|---|---|---|
| Step-2 | After the initial check-up, you must seek the opinion of an ocular oncologist, specialists who treat eye cancers. An Ocular oncologist will confirm or rule out the presence of Retinoblastoma. | |
| Step-3 | As part of retinoblastoma diagnosis, the ocular oncologist will prescribe some tests such as an ultrasound of the eye, MRI or CT scan of eyes, and a proper examination under anaesthesia. | |
| Step-4 | Based on the results of complete evaluation, your doctor will customise a treatment plan for your child |
Objectives of Retinoblastoma Treatment
To save the life of the child by getting rid of the eye cancer
To protect as much vision as possible
Decrease the risk of late sequelae of the infection
Retinoblastoma Treatment at Centre for Sight
Retinoblastoma treatment is a complex process as it involves the expertise of ocular oncologists, paediatric oncologists, and sometimes radiation oncologists.
The retinoblastoma treatment protocol depends on a variety of factors including the type of eye cancer, the rate of tumour growth, the site of the tumour, general health, and any coexisting diseases of the patient.
Our eye hospital in Delhi, Hyderabad is equipped with the latest technology and treatment methods to diagnose retinoblastoma effectively.
Chemotherapy
What Does Retinoblastoma Chemotherapy Offer?
- Retinoblastoma chemotherapy or the use of specific anti-cancer medicines is the preferred initial treatment for most cases of retinoblastoma these days.
- Retinoblastoma chemotherapy is often supplemented with TTT Laser to provide a more holistic treatment to the patient.
- Retinoblastoma chemotherapy is mostly given by intravenous route, but may need to be given directly into the ophthalmic artery (Intra-Arterial chemotherapy) or injected directly into the eye (Intravitreal chemotherapy) in certain specific situations.
- Retinoblastoma chemotherapy shrinks the tumour to allow following up with other treatments on the remaining cancer cells.
Trans-pupillary Thermotherapy (TTT)
In this form of retinoblastoma treatment, low-level heat generated by a diode laser is used to kill the tumour cells.
This form of treatment is commonly used to treat small tumours in the eye and also as a supplement to chemotherapy for larger tumours. Centre for Sight, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi is among one of the very few centres in the country having this technology.
Retinoblastoma Surgery
Retinoblastoma surgery involves the removal of the affected eye (Enucleation). This is sometimes required if the patient is at an advanced stage and when other treatment methods are not likely to be successful.
Even though families find it challenging to accept the removal of the eye as the final treatment method, modern surgical and reconstructive techniques have made it possible to have a high quality of life even after the loss of an eye.
Centre for Sight, New Delhi has a state of the art facility to provide custom made artificial eye (ocular prosthesis) for patients who undergo eye removal.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is one of the lesser-used treatment methods. It includes either placement of a radioactive implant on the sclera called Plaque brachytherapy to selectively deliver radiation with minimum collateral damage or external beam radiotherapy, which is mostly used in retinoblastoma cases with orbital involvement.
Cryotherapy
This form of treatment involves killing the tumour cells by exposing them to extremely low temperatures. It is used for small and peripheral retinal tumours.
Retinoblastoma Treatment Cost In India
Retinoblastoma treatment cost in India varies from hospital to hospital. But, we have a cost-effective approach for all the treatments we offer. Retinoblastoma treatment cost in India depends on the availability of advanced technology and the expertise of the surgeons.
Centre for Sight is one of the best places for retinoblastoma treatment in India. Our retinoblastoma treatment plan is customized for every patient depending on the severity and extent of the disease.
To know more about retinoblastoma treatment cost, retinoblastoma surgery, retinoblastoma diagnosis, contact us today.
Support available for economically underprivileged patients of Retinoblastoma.
Retinoblastoma Helpline no. (For Appointment)
9560080855 | 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Explore FAQs
Can retinoblastoma be prevented?
If a child has a heritable form of retinoblastoma, then regular check-up for the kid becomes vital. If the child is screened carefully, then early detection can help treat the condition successfully.
What are the important factors that determine retinoblastoma treatment?
Retinoblastoma treatment depends upon several factors like:
● The size of the tumour
● Location within the eye of tumour
● If the tumour is in one eye or both
● If the tumour has spread outside the eye
What are the risks of retinoblastoma surgery?
Infection, bleeding, and implant-related complications are risks related to retinoblastoma surgery which involves removal of the affected eye.
My child is diagnosed with retinoblastoma. How can the family cope with this?
Getting to know that anybody has cancer, is a feeling of shock, sadness and disbelief. You can help your child in several ways:
● Make your family’s support system network secure. Being around family and friends can help a lot to feel positive.
● Collect enough information about the condition that can help you make informed decisions.
● Discuss freely with your doctor about your apprehensions
● Understand that results of treatment are good and most children are able to have a normal life, provided the disease is diagnosed early
What is enucleation?
Enucleation is surgery in which the patients diseased eye is completely removed. During enucleation, the eye muscles and associated orbital contents are left untouched.
What happens, post-enucleation surgery?
Post-enucleation retinoblastoma surgery, the eye surgeon places an artificial eye implant in the socket of the eyes. Then, eye muscles are attached to the artificial eye implant. It looks like natural eyes, but cannot see. But, it does move to some extent.
Who gets retinoblastoma?
Retinoblastoma occurs mostly in children under the age of six. About forty percent of cases of retinoblastoma are inherited. Regular eye checkups for your child can help massively as retinoblastoma treatment can be more effective if the disease is detected early on.
What is chemo reduction?
One of the ways chemotherapy is used is chemo reduction. In chemo reduction, drugs are used to shrink tumours that have not spread outside the eyes.
What are the side-effects of chemotherapy?
Possible side-effects of chemotherapy are hair loss, loss of appetite, constipation, fatigue, mouth sores, vomiting, and bleeding.
