RETINOBLASTOMA, THE COMMON FORM OF EYE CANCER IN CHILDREN

Did you know that retinoblastoma is a rare form of eye cancer and the most common form affecting one or both eyes in young children, but can rarely occur in adults?

Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that begins in the retina — the sensitive lining on the inside of the eye. The retina is made up of nerve tissue that senses light as it comes through the front of the eye. The retina sends signals through the optic nerve to the brain, where these signals are interpreted as images.

Retinoblastoma occurs when nerve cells in the retina develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause the cells to continue growing and multiplying when healthy cells would die. This accumulating mass of cells forms a tumor. Retinoblastoma cells can invade further into the eye and nearby structures. It can also spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body, including the brain and spine.

For most instances of retinoblastoma, it's not clear what causes the genetic mutation that leads to cancer. However, it's possible for children to inherit a genetic mutation from their parents. Gene mutations that increase the risk of retinoblastoma and other cancers can be passed from parents to children. 

Hereditary retinoblastoma is passed from parents to children in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means only one parent needs a single copy of the mutated gene to pass the increased risk of retinoblastoma on to the children. If one parent carries a mutated gene, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting that gene. Although a genetic mutation increases a child's risk of retinoblastoma, it doesn't mean that cancer is inevitable.

Children with the inherited form of retinoblastoma tend to develop the disease at an earlier age. Hereditary retinoblastoma also tends to occur in both eyes, as opposed to just one eye.

Because retinoblastoma mostly affects infants and small children, symptoms aren't common. Signs you may notice include: a white color in the center circle of the eye (pupil) when light is shone in the eye, such as when someone takes a flash photograph of the child; eyes that appear to be looking in different directions; poor vision, eye redness, and eye swelling.

On prevention, doctors aren't sure what causes most instances of retinoblastoma, so there's no proven way to prevent the disease. For families with inherited retinoblastoma, if your child is diagnosed with retinoblastoma, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to determine whether the cancer was caused by an inherited gene mutation. Your doctor may recommend that you meet with a genetic counselor who can help you decide whether to undergo genetic testing.

Genetic testing enables families to know whether their children may have an increased risk of retinoblastoma, so medical care can be planned accordingly. For instance, eye exams may begin soon after birth or, in some situations, before a baby is born. That way, retinoblastoma may be diagnosed very early — when the tumor is small and a chance for a cure and preservation of vision is still possible.

Genetic testing can be used to determine whether: your child with retinoblastoma is at risk of other related cancers, your child with retinoblastoma may carry a gene mutation that can be passed to his or her future children, your other children are at risk of retinoblastoma and other related cancers, and you and your partner have the possibility of passing the genetic mutation on to future children.

Make an appointment with your child's doctor if you notice any changes to your child's eyes that concern you. Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer, so your child's doctor may explore other more common eye conditions first. If you have a family history of retinoblastoma, discuss it with your doctor if you're planning to have children.

Image Credit: American Academy of Ophthalmology

Source: 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retinoblastoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20351008