Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Retinoblastoma

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Tumor - retina; Cancer - retina


Symptoms

One or both eyes may be affected.

They pupil may appear white or have white spots. A white glow in the eye is often seen in photographs taken with a flash. Instead of the typical "red eye" from the flash, the pupil may appear white or distorted.

Other symptoms can include:

  • Crossed eyes
  • Double vision
  • Eyes that do not align
  • Eye pain and redness
  • Poor vision
  • Differing iris colors in each eye

If the cancer has spread, bone pain and other symptoms may occur.


Signs and tests

The doctor will perform a complete physical exam, including an eye exam. The following tests may be done:

  • Eye exam with dilation of the pupil
  • CT scan or MRI of the head
  • Ultrasound of the eye ( head and eye echoencephalogram )
  • Bone marrow biopsy and cerebrospinal fluid examination in the case of more aggressive tumors

Images

Eye

Review Date: 03/21/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)