Retinoblastoma surgery

Overview
Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the retina. Development of this tumor is initiated by mutations that inactivate both copies of the RB1 gene, which codes for the retinoblastoma protein.

Treatment options
Patients with retinoblastoma have many treatment options. The selection depends on the stage of the tumor. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, or high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. Because cancer treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effect may not be the same for each person, and they may change from one treatment session to the next.
 * Surgery: The surgery is called enucleation. During the surgery, an orbital implant is also put in to take the place of the eyeball.
 * Radiation therapy: This is a cancer treatment to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing by using high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation.
 * Chemotherapy: The treatment is to use drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
 * Laser therapy: This treatment uses laser beams to destroy the tumors and the blood vessels that supply them. It is effective only for smaller tumors.
 * Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy uses a very cool, small probe to kill the retinoblastoma cells by freezing them. It is only effective for relatively single small tumor.
 * Thermotherapy: Thermotherapy uses infrared waves to treat retinoblastoma.
 * High dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant: This treatment is used to treat children with retinoblastoma that has spread.