RetinoblastomaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that usually develops in early childhood, typically before the age of 5. This form of cancer develops in the retina, which is the specialized light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and color.
Mutations in the RB1 gene are responsible for most cases of retinoblastoma. RB1 is a tumor suppressor gene, which means that it normally regulates cell growth and stops cells from dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way. Most mutations in the RB1 gene prevent it from making any functional protein, so cells are unable to regulate cell division effectively. As a result, certain cells in the retina can divide uncontrollably to form a cancerous tumor. Some studies suggest that additional genetic changes can influence the development of retinoblastoma; these changes may help explain variations in the development and growth of retinoblastoma and other types of tumors in different people.
Retinoblastoma is diagnosed in 250 to 350 children per year in the United States. It accounts for about 4 percent of all cancers in children younger than 15 years.
Researchers estimate that one-third of all retinoblastomas are hereditary, which means that RB1 gene mutations are present in all of the body's cells, including reproductive cells (sperm or eggs). People with hereditary retinoblastoma may have a family history of the disease, and they are at risk of passing on the mutated RB1 gene to the next generation. The other two-thirds of retinoblastomas are non-hereditary, which means that RB1 gene mutations are present only in cells of the eye and cannot be passed to the next generation.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles - The Vision Center
Jesse Berry is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Berry is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Retinoblastoma. She is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Retinoblastoma, Melanoma of the Eye, Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Berry is board certified in Ophthalmology. Dr. Berry is currently accepting new patients.
Emory Eye Center
Hans Grossniklaus is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been practicing medicine for over 46 years. Dr. Grossniklaus is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Retinoblastoma. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Melanoma of the Eye, Uveal Melanoma, Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, Vitrectomy, and Corneal Transplant. Dr. Grossniklaus is board certified in American Board Of Pathology, 1987.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
David Abramson is an Oncologist practicing medicine in New York, New York. Dr. Abramson is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Retinoblastoma. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Retinoblastoma, Hereditary Retinoblastoma, Melanoma of the Eye, Vitrectomy, and Leg or Foot Amputation. Dr. Abramson is currently accepting new patients.
Background: \- Laboratory investigators who are studying common childhood cancers are interested in developing a tissue repository to collect and store blood, serum, tissue, urine, or tumors of children who have cancer or adults who have common childhood cancers. To develop this repository, additional samples will be collected from children and adults who have been diagnosed with common childhood cancers such...
Summary: NOTE: This is a research study and is not meant to be a substitute for clinical genetic testing. Families may never receive results from the study or may receive results many years from the time they enroll. If you are interested in clinical testing please consider seeing a local genetic counselor or other genetics professional. If you have already had clinical genetic testing and meet eligibility...
Published Date: December 01, 2017
Published By: National Institutes of Health