Retinoblastoma

RetinoblastomaJane R MacKinnonOphthalmologistInvernessScotland, UK

Nkhata Bay, 1990

What is retinoblastoma?What is retinoblastoma?Aggressive eye cancer of infancy and childhood

Commonest intra-ocular tumour in children

Why is it important?Why is it important?It will kill the child if untreated

Death may be prevented by early treatmentHow common is it?Estimated 9000 cases per year in the world

Estimated between 22 37 cases per year in Malawi How can you identify it?

Leukocoria = white pupil

White pupils + squint + poor vision

Inflamed eye + white pupil

Proptosis= protruding eyeRB presentationBoys = girlsUsually present under age of 5 years, most by age 2Bilateral RB usually presents earlier than unilateral

Age in monthsBilateral RB presents earlier

Dilate the pupils Must examine the other children in the familyUltrasound

How is it treated?Surgery enucleation- removal of the eye under general anaesthetic

ChemotherapyRadiotherapyLaserCryotherapy

See a Retinoblastoma get it out save a life

OutcomeUntreated = DeathChemotherapyOnly available in large centres

IV: cyclophosphamide, vincristine and adriamycineSubtenon injection (Carboplatin)

Artificial EyesDifferent sizes

Improved appearance

However.require expertise in fitting

Recurrence after enucleation