Retinoblastoma: Children

More children than ever are surviving childhood cancer. There are new and better drugs and treatments, and we can now also work to reduce the after-effects of having had cancer in the past.

It’s devastating to hear that your child has cancer, and at times it can feel overwhelming. There are many healthcare professionals and support organisations to help you through this difficult time.

Understanding more about the cancer your child has and the treatments that may be used can often help parents to cope. Your child’s specialist will give you more detailed information and if you have any questions it’s important to ask the specialist doctor or nurse who knows your child’s individual situation.

Retinoblastoma develops in the light-sensitive lining of the eye (called the retina).

There are 2 forms of retinoblastoma:

a heritable form – this is genetic or inherited; there are often tumours in both eyes (bilateral) or sometimes only in 1 eye a non-heritable form – this is not passed on in the family; there’s 1 tumour in only 1 eye (unilateral)


It’s devastating to hear that your child has cancer, and at times it can feel overwhelming. There are many healthcare professionals and support organisations to help you through this difficult time.

Understanding more about the cancer your child has and the treatments that may be used can often help parents to cope. Your child’s specialist will give you more detailed information and if you have any questions it’s important to ask the specialist doctor or nurse who knows your child’s individual situation.

Retinoblastoma develops in the light-sensitive lining of the eye (called the retina).

There are 2 forms of retinoblastoma:

a heritable form – this is genetic or inherited; there are often tumours in both eyes (bilateral) or sometimes only in 1 eye a non-heritable form – this is not passed on in the family; there’s 1 tumour in only 1 eye (unilateral)


Understanding more about the cancer your child has and the treatments that may be used can often help parents to cope. Your child’s specialist will give you more detailed information and if you have any questions it’s important to ask the specialist doctor or nurse who knows your child’s individual situation.

Retinoblastoma develops in the light-sensitive lining of the eye (called the retina).

There are 2 forms of retinoblastoma:

a heritable form – this is genetic or inherited; there are often tumours in both eyes (bilateral) or sometimes only in 1 eye a non-heritable form – this is not passed on in the family; there’s 1 tumour in only 1 eye (unilateral)

Symptoms

Some children with a family history of retinoblastoma are picked up by screening before they have any symptoms.

If there’s no family history of retinoblastoma, the first sign of the condition is often a white pupil that does not reflect light (leukocoria). This may be picked up when a picture of your child is taken using flash photography. The pupil of the affected eye may look white in the photograph.

Some children may have a squint or, if the tumour is large, they may have a painful red eye.