WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF RETINOBLASTOMA?
The most common signs of retinoblastoma are leukocoria and strabismus. Leukocoria is often called “cat eye reflex”. It is a white reflection (similar to a cat’s eye in the evening) seen in the pupil (black portion of the eye) when light shines in a child’s eye, instead of a red reflection (a red glow in dim light that is commonly seen in flash pictures). Strabismus is a wandering eye, or abnormal turning in or out of the eye, that does not go away. Other less common symptoms are changes in vision, eye irritation, and pain. When these symptoms are present, your child also may rub his or her eye frequently or have redness of the eye and tearing.
WHAT CAUSES RETINOBLASTOMA?
Retinoblastoma is caused by a mutation (abnormality, or variation) in the RB1 gene. Genes are instructions that help our body grow and function. All genes exist in pairs. Every person has two copies of each gene in every cell (building block) of their body, including the RB1 gene. Retinoblastoma occurs when a mutation develops in both copies of the RB1 gene inside the retinal cells of the eye. This allows the cells to grow out of control, causing retinoblastoma tumor(s). The reason for the mutation is unknown, and there is nothing a parent or child did to cause the mutation.
WHO GETS RETINOBLASTOMA?
Retinoblastoma is a rare form of cancer that occurs once in every 15,000–20,000 live births. It makes up only 3% of all childhood cancers.
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