retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma Retinoblastoma is cancer that starts in the retina or mucosa of the eye. Retinoblastoma attacks the retina in the back of the eyeball.
The retina consists of nerve tissue that transmits a beam of light captured by the optic nerve to a beam of light so the eye can see. When retinoblastoma occurs, eye cells called retinoblasts do not turn into adult cells, but continue to divide to form cancer in the retina.
Retinoblastoma can attack one or both eyes. This condition is usually experienced by toddlers. Retinoblastoma is usually detected before it spreads out of the whites of the eye, so that it can still be cured with several treatment options. For example with radiotherapy, surgery or chemotherapy.
Causes of retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma can occur because the fetus is in the uterus. At the beginning of its growth, retinoblast cells divide into new cells. In addition, the cells will develop into mature retinal cells. In the case of retinoblastoma, there are changes or mutations in the gene, so cells grow continuously and out of control.
So far, the cause of gene mutations can not be determined. About 25% of retinoblastoma cases are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, that is, even if a single parent inherits a gene in a child, this can increase the risk of developing retinoblastoma. Hereditary retinoblastoma usually attacks both eyes. Although retinoblastoma is not inherited from parents, it usually only affects one eye.
Symptoms of retinoblastoma
The signs that result from retinoblastoma are in the form of leucocoria, which is the white color of the pupils when exposed to light. Blood vessels in the back of the eye must emit red if exposed to light. In addition, signs that may accompany retinoblastoma are:
Retinoblastoma diagnosis
A series of tests must be done before the eye doctor can diagnose retinoblastoma to the patient. The doctor will use an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to see the state of the eye, especially to check for possible tumors in the patient's eyes.
In addition, tests can also be done to determine the severity of retinoblastoma. Analysis can be done by ocular ultrasonography, CT or MRI.
The severity of retinoblastoma is distinguished by the degree of spread and location of the cancer, which then determines the treatment steps to be followed.
In the early stages of intraocular retinoblastoma, cancer cells do not spread to tissues outside the eye. In the next stage, or extralocular retinoblastoma, cancer cells have spread to the outside of the eye or other parts of the body. Recurrent retinoblastoma is retinoblastoma that reappears in the eyes or other body parts.
Retinoblastoma treatment
The stages of treatment are determined according to the severity of retinoblastoma. There are several treatment options that can be used to kill retinoblastoma cancer cells, including:
Another treatment method is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given orally, by injecting it into a vein or by injecting it into the brain and spinal fluid (intrathecal chemotherapy).
If the tumor is very large and difficult to treat with other methods, doctors can recommend surgical removal of the eyeball. This procedure takes place in several stages starting with enucleation or removal of the affected eyeball. After that, the artificial eye (implant) or artificial eye will be attached and connected to the eye muscles. The eye muscle tissue adapts to the artificial eye during the healing process, so that later, the artificial eyeball can move like the original eye, even if it cannot see.
Complications of retinoblastoma
Complications can occur in retinoblastoma and usually occur in advanced retinoblastoma. Some of them are:
Prevention of retinoblastoma
Eye examinations should be done regularly, especially in children whose family members have a history of retinoblastoma. The discovery of retinoblastoma in the early stages will determine the success of treatment. Exams can be done every month until the age of one year. Although routine eye examinations in adults can be done at least once a year.
The retina consists of nerve tissue that transmits a beam of light captured by the optic nerve to a beam of light so the eye can see. When retinoblastoma occurs, eye cells called retinoblasts do not turn into adult cells, but continue to divide to form cancer in the retina.
Causes of retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma can occur because the fetus is in the uterus. At the beginning of its growth, retinoblast cells divide into new cells. In addition, the cells will develop into mature retinal cells. In the case of retinoblastoma, there are changes or mutations in the gene, so cells grow continuously and out of control.
So far, the cause of gene mutations can not be determined. About 25% of retinoblastoma cases are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, that is, even if a single parent inherits a gene in a child, this can increase the risk of developing retinoblastoma. Hereditary retinoblastoma usually attacks both eyes. Although retinoblastoma is not inherited from parents, it usually only affects one eye.
Symptoms of retinoblastoma
The signs that result from retinoblastoma are in the form of leucocoria, which is the white color of the pupils when exposed to light. Blood vessels in the back of the eye must emit red if exposed to light. In addition, signs that may accompany retinoblastoma are:
- Red and swollen eyes.
- Right and left eye movements are different or out of tune.
- Students are always wide open.
Retinoblastoma diagnosis
A series of tests must be done before the eye doctor can diagnose retinoblastoma to the patient. The doctor will use an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to see the state of the eye, especially to check for possible tumors in the patient's eyes.
In addition, tests can also be done to determine the severity of retinoblastoma. Analysis can be done by ocular ultrasonography, CT or MRI.
The severity of retinoblastoma is distinguished by the degree of spread and location of the cancer, which then determines the treatment steps to be followed.
In the early stages of intraocular retinoblastoma, cancer cells do not spread to tissues outside the eye. In the next stage, or extralocular retinoblastoma, cancer cells have spread to the outside of the eye or other parts of the body. Recurrent retinoblastoma is retinoblastoma that reappears in the eyes or other body parts.
Retinoblastoma treatment
The stages of treatment are determined according to the severity of retinoblastoma. There are several treatment options that can be used to kill retinoblastoma cancer cells, including:
- Laser therapy (photocoagulation laser). Laser light therapy can be used to destroy blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tumor so that it can kill cancer cells.
- Cryotherapy. This therapy uses nitrogenous liquid to freeze cancer cells before being removed. The freezing and removal process can be done several times until the cancer cells are completely gone.
- Thermotherapy. In this therapy, heat waves are directed to the cancer cells by laser, microwave or ultrasound.
- Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is carried out using X-rays. There are two types of radiotherapy and radiotherapy, namely internal and external radiation. In internal radiation, radioactive material is placed near a tumor for several days to exert a slow radiation effect on the tumor. While outside radiation, radiation is emitted by the engine to provide greater exposure. Compared with internal therapy, external therapy is more likely to damage healthy tissue around the eyes. External radiotherapy is usually given to patients with advanced retinoblastoma, whose treatment is not effective.
Another treatment method is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given orally, by injecting it into a vein or by injecting it into the brain and spinal fluid (intrathecal chemotherapy).
If the tumor is very large and difficult to treat with other methods, doctors can recommend surgical removal of the eyeball. This procedure takes place in several stages starting with enucleation or removal of the affected eyeball. After that, the artificial eye (implant) or artificial eye will be attached and connected to the eye muscles. The eye muscle tissue adapts to the artificial eye during the healing process, so that later, the artificial eyeball can move like the original eye, even if it cannot see.
Complications of retinoblastoma
Complications can occur in retinoblastoma and usually occur in advanced retinoblastoma. Some of them are:
- Retinal detachment.
- Bloody in the eyeball.
- Glaucoma.
- Inflammation of the eyeball and surrounding tissue (orbital cellulitis).
- The eyeball is wrinkled and does not function normally (phthisis bulbi).
Prevention of retinoblastoma
Eye examinations should be done regularly, especially in children whose family members have a history of retinoblastoma. The discovery of retinoblastoma in the early stages will determine the success of treatment. Exams can be done every month until the age of one year. Although routine eye examinations in adults can be done at least once a year.
0 Response to "retinoblastoma"
Post a Comment