Retinoblastoma (eye cancer in children)
Screeningfor retinoblastoma
If you're expecting a baby and you had retinoblastoma yourself as a child, or you have a family history of retinoblastoma, it's important to tell your GP or midwife.
This is because in some cases retinoblastoma is an inherited condition and babies considered at increased risk of developing itmay be offered screening after the birth.
Your GP will be able to refer you to a specialist centre so the appropriate tests can be arranged when your baby is born. Your children's risk will depend on the type of retinoblastoma you or your relative had.
The aim of screening isto identifytumours as early as possible so that treatment can be started straight away.
Children under five years of age are usually screened by having their eyes examined while under general anaesthetic. This will be carried out at one of the UK's two specialist retinoblastoma centres(The Royal London Hospital or Birmingham Children's Hospital).
Your child will need to be screened frequently up until they'refive years old.
Does my child need screening?
The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) says that your child may need to be screened if:
- you or your partner has hadretinoblastoma and you're expecting a baby or you've recently had a baby
- you or your partner has had retinoblastoma and you have a child under five years of age who hasn't been checked
- you have a child who's been diagnosed with retinoblastoma and you're expecting a baby, or you have other children under five who haven't been checked
- your parent (or brother or sister) had retinoblastoma and you have a child under five who hasn't been checked
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer that affects young children. Information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, plus help and support.
Signs and symptomsof retinoblastoma
Signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma include: an unusual white reflectionin thepupil this may be apparentin photos where only the healthy eye appears red from the flash, or you may notice itin a dark
Whatcauses retinoblastoma?
Retinoblastoma is cancer of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye.During the early stages of a baby's development, retinal eye cells grow very quickly and then st
Diagnosingretinoblastoma
Your GP will carry out a'red reflex test' in a darkened roomusing an ophthalmoscope (a magnifyinginstrument witha light at one end).When a light is shone into your child's eyes, your GP will see a red
Treatingretinoblastoma
Your child will be treated by a specialist retinoblastoma team at either the Royal London Hospital or Birmingham Children's Hospital.However, if your child needschemotherapy, it will usually be carrie
Screeningfor retinoblastoma
If you're expecting a baby and you had retinoblastoma yourself as a child, or you have a family history of retinoblastoma, it's important to tell your GP or midwife.This is because in some cases retin
Gettingsupport
The specialist teams at the retinoblastoma centres at The Royal London Hospital and Birmingham Children's Hospital have a wealth of knowledge about retinoblastoma. You can discuss any worries or conce
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