Genetics and management of retinoblastoma

• Main Authors: Bakhshi Sameer, Bakhshi Radhika
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2007-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons
• Subjects: Childhood; genetics; retinal blastoma
• Online Access: http://www.jiaps.com/article.asp?issn=0971-9261;year=2007;volume=12;issue=3;spage=109;epage=115;aulast=Bakhshi

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor in childhood. In majority of early stage retinoblastoma, the eyeballs as well as vision can be preserved with chemotherapy and local intraocular therapy with laser or photocoagulation. However, more than half the patients in India and other developing nations present in advanced stage of the disease. This article reviews the genetics, clinical approach, and treatment options for retinoblastoma focussing on advances in chemotherapy for intraocular retinoblastoma (chemoreduction), as well as improvement in survival in advanced retinoblastoma with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation.