WHICH TESTS AND PROCEDURES WILL MY CHILD NEED?
The following tests may be done to evaluate the location and extent of the cancer and determine the most appropriate treatment. All children should have an eye exam under anesthesia (EUA), an ultrasound of the eye(s), and either an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scan of the brain and orbits (eyes). Whenever possible an MRI is preferred over a CT scan for children with retinoblastoma. Blood tests may be done for genetic testing and to monitor side effects of treatment. Some children who have a higher-stage disease may need additional MRIs, bone marrow aspirate and biopsy, lumbar puncture, and/or a bone scan. Although advanced retinoblastoma is uncommon in the United States and other developed countries, these tests are still needed to ensure that the retinoblastoma has not spread to other parts of the body. MRI MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses radio waves and magnetic fields instead of X rays to create very detailed pictures of parts of the body. A computer translates the pattern of radio waves into images. MRI images are so clear that they are sometimes more useful than X rays or CT scans. This is true for areas of the brain and spinal cord, blood vessels, bones, and some organs of the body, like the eyes. Certain tumors are regularly checked by MRI during and after treatment to determine how effective the treatment is and if a relapse has occurred. For an MRI, a patient lies on a table that is rolled into a machine. The machine surrounds them on all sides, like a tube. (Open MRI machines exist for people who are very anxious in a regular MRI machine.) The MRI is painless, but the machine makes loud noises. Your child may use earplugs or a headset during the MRI. They must be able to lie completely still, and some children require sedation to do this. The MRI usually takes 1-2 hours. Often, a dye is injected into a vein to improve the MRI images. Because they use strong magnets, MRI machines cannot have metal objects inside them. Before an MRI, your child will be asked to remove all metal objects such as jewelry and clothes with metal snaps or zippers. An MRI does not expose your child to any form of radiation.
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Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON)
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