cancer pamphlet
TRANSCRIPT
Like all cancers, retinoblastoma is the result of uncontrolled cell division. Cancer cells replicate constantly, creating tumors that interfere with
organ function.
Some factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing any
cancer include:
Old age Smoking Exposure to ionizing radiation Exposure to sunlight without
sunscreen Exposure to toxic chemicals Certain pathogens Family history
Retinoblastoma is different in that it typically occurs in early childhood.
One out of four retinoblastoma cases are present at birth, and most cases are detected in children under
two years old. Retinoblastoma’s causes include:
Family history- 40% of retinoblastoma cases are hereditary
Mutation of the RBI tumor suppressor gene
Works Cited:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/retinoblastoma
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Retinoblastoma/index
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/retinoblastoma
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002025/
http://www.djo.harvard.edu/site.php?url=/patients/pi/436
http://www.mskcc.org/pediatrics/childhood/retinoblastoma/treatment
http://www.graphicshunt.com/health/images/retinoblastoma-2387.htm
http://www.chla.org/atf/cf/%7B1CB444DF-77C3-4D94-82FA-E366D7D6CE04%7D/eye_diagram.jpg
Retinoblastoma:
Cancer of the Retina
A guide to the most common eye cancer in children
Zach Effman
Mrs. Tirado
BiologyHP8
Retinoblastoma begins on the retina, the area in the back of the eye that
detects light. If not treated, the tumor can grow to fill much of the eye.
Cancerous masses may break off from the tumor, float through the vitreous
body, and begin to grow in new areas. If these growths block fluid channels, pressure increases in the eye can cause
pain and lead to blindness.
Retinoblastoma spreads only rarely. It can grow into the brain via the optic
nerve or grows through the walls of the eye into surrounding tissue. Once the
cancer has left the eye, it can spread to anywhere in the body through the
circulatory system. The primary tumor will be easily detectable by then.
Fortunately, retinoblastoma is both rare and treatable. Only three hundred cases occur yearly in America, and 98% of victims survive if the cancer is detected before it spreads. Treatments include:
Enecleation- the removal of the eye. This procedure has a near perfect success rate and is the most common treatment. Surgery takes under an hour, and is painless
Chemotherapy- the use of drugs to combat caner. Children have a higher resistance to chemotherapy, reducing harmful side effects of this treatment
Cryotherapy- a process by which a probe is inserted into the eye and is used to freeze the tumor. This process only works on small tumors and must be repeated many times. It may cause temporary, harmless swelling
Laser Therapy- in which a powerful laser is shined through the pupil at the retina. This treatment is very effective at killing small tumors and has no negative side effects
Radioactive Plaques- disks of radioactive material that are inserted into the eye where they kill tumors. They remain in the eye for a week and may cause cataracts and permanently damage sight
Early detection is critical if a patient is to be cured. Signs that a child may have retinoblastoma
are: Crossed eyes
Abnormal iris coloration
Double vision- in young children this can result in persistent disorientation
Poor vision
“White eye”- the pupil may appear white in photographs in contrast to the typical “red eye.” An example of “white eye” can be seen in the child on the cover of this pamphlet
If a child is suspected to have this disease, a doctor will perform an eye exam, eye
ultrasound, or MRI or CT scan
Prevention
Retinoblastoma is hereditary. People who have had
retinoblastoma may pass on a cancerous gene to their
offspring. They should consult a doctor before making the decision to have children.