An In-Depth Look at Pediatric Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a rare cancerous tumor that typically originates in a part of the eye called the retina, which is a thin layer of nerve tissue that coats the back of the eye and allows a person to see, behind the pupil. Pediatric Retinoblastoma or Eye Cancer in Children occurs in children less than 4 to 6 years old. Luckily most children with this disease will be cured. With all the tragedies comes hope. Retinoblastoma cancer affects the retinoblasts. What is a retinoblast? It is an immature cell of the retina that multiply during gestation or when the fetus is still in the womb and early life, where it makes enough cells to create the retina. Now instead of maturing into cells that detect light, these retinoblasts continue to divide and grow out of control, forming cancer, thus the term retinoblastoma. It can occur in one eye or in both eyes. If left untreated, retinoblastoma grows, making the affected eye painful or worse makes the patient blind. Pediatric Retinoblastoma Noticeable Symptoms Pediatric Retinoblastoma noticeable symptoms include a white color in the center circle of the pupil when the light is shown in the eye, such as when taking a flash photograph. This often is the scenario where parents or anyone who see the picture of the child whose eyes have glint or a glare or some other whiteness in the pupil. Children and families fighting childhood cancer are fighting a good fight. Pediatric Retinoblastoma particularly is a rare malignant tumor that is often diagnosed early, once the symptom is noticed. Pediatric Ophthalmology Specialist The child is referred to a pediatric ophthalmology specialist, and the pediatric ophthalmologist will perform a fundus examination, once the child is diagnosed and confirmed with retinoblastoma the specialist will order tests to determine the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. These tests may include an MRI or CT scan, bone marrow test or a spinal tap. And depending on the severity of the case some specialist will even do an ultrasound to help them make a proper accurate diagnosis, some cases the ophthalmologist may even decide that your child needs to be checked while under anesthetic so that they can have a better look at the retina. There are Cutting-edge clinical trials are available to patients with Pediatric Retinoblastoma. This includes Enucleation, Cryotherapy, Laser photo coagulation therapy, Radiation therapy and Chemotherapy. Retinoblastoma patients who survive the battle of this form of cancer can also pass this form of cancer to their future children, because of hereditary factors brothers and sisters of the retinoblastoma survivors should also be examined for this...
read moreLife After Retinoblastoma, Is It Really Over?
It gives exquisite joy to parents knowing that their child survived retinoblastoma treatment. The child’s normal eyesight is finally restored and the doctors have given a positive report, but like any recovery stage from a severe illness, the patient still needs to be closely monitored in order to boost the patient’s immune system and restore their normal healthy state. Here are some important reminders for parents with kids who survived eye cancer. Follow-through Doctors’ Appointments Although medication has stopped, it is very important for parents to show up every doctor’s appointment for the medical team to continue to monitor the patient. The recurrence of cancer and side-effects of the treatments need close monitoring. Likewise, parents need to inform the doctor of any noticeable changes they see from their child after the treatment to prevent any misconceptions. Keep Patient’s Medical Records Intact All medical reports before, during and after the treatment must be kept in one place. This is for easy reference as the child grows. As an adult, medical check-up cannot be avoided year after year. With records handy, it will be easier for them to trace patient’s medical background. Some important information to be kept are the following: Pathology report from biopsies and surgeries (if applicable) Copy of operative report if surgery was undertaken Discharge summaries from hospital admissions List of medication given during chemotherapy (if applicable) List of dosage and types given during radiation therapy (if applicable) Names and contact information of doctors who gave treatment Have Genetic Counseling Most doctors would recommend the family to have genetic counseling. This will give the family a sound medical advice and calculated risks for the eye cancer survivor to develop second cancer later on. The counselor on genetics will review the family’s medical history. This is to predict likelihood that genes causing pediatric retinoblastoma might be inherited and passed on to other family members. Undergo Genetic Testing The genetic counselor might also suggest genetic testing for other children in the family. The results of the genetic testing should also be kept together with all other medical records. Going through the battle against pediatric retinoblastoma is a long process for the family. Cancers are common among children and the negative effects are highly unpredictable; some cancers recur and can be deadly as the last time. You can secure your child’s health by taking better care of them through regular appointments with doctors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the whole...
read moreSpecial Care for Kids with Eye Cancer
Children make up most of the happiest people on earth. They truly know how to appreciate the beautiful things they see, they have a rich perspective of life, but what happens when their joy is affected by a visual illness? One of the illnesses that affect children below six years old in the US is pediatric retinoblastoma which is reported to have 300 cases each year. This type of illness can impair a child’s vision and negatively impact their physical and emotional growth. Special care needs to be given when dealing with this kind of disease. Some ways you can give special care for kids with eye cancer include: Hiring a Special Medical Team Children diagnosed with pediatric retinoblastoma are given special medical attention by a team of physicians. It requires a team since treatment may vary depending on the response of the patient. The team is composed of medical field specialists such as: Pediatric ophthalmologist – a physician who takes care of eye disease Pediatric oncologist – a physician who gives treatment to children diagnosed with cancer Ocular oncologist – an ophthalmologist who gives treatment to eye cancer Radiation oncologist – a physician who administers radiation therapy Counselling on Parenting Kids with Retinoblastoma Parents not only need medical advice from physicians, but also help from psychotherapists so they can give the right special attention and care to their kid with eye cancer. In order for their child’s body to recuperate, parents need to regulate what their child eats and limit him or her from moving too much for a certain period of time as he or she undergoes treatment. It might help for parents to set a daily “alarm” to ensure that their child is taking prescribed medications on time. Keeping a Positive Environment For kids undergoing treatment for eye cancer, pain is inevitable. They may feel restless or grumpy. Showing empathy and telling them words of encouragement would go a long way. They need to be reassured that it is going to be all right after the treatment. Patients can still play with other children, given that the game or activity does not require a lot of physical movement like board games. The family should give more time for laughter during meals and doing fun activities with the patient on a daily basis. Keeping a positive environment will boost the patient’s immune system and will have an impact on the kid’s recovery. It is never easy for kids to go through so much pain. They need to feel their family’s unconditional love for them as they battle eye cancer at a young age. They need all the support they can get from their family and doctors alike. For other special needs like legal assistance with a pediatric retinoblastoma attorney, the family may contact 888-726-6735 at DWKMRS...
read moreThe Truth About Kids’ Eye Cancer
Parents who take their little ones to a pediatrician every month may only be concerned about knowing what vitamins to give to their kids. However, kid’s eye cancer may not be part of the parent-doctor discussion. One case of eye cancer is called pediatric retinoblastoma, and is affecting children below six years old. It is a tumor that starts in the retina and can be detected as early as six months. Early detection is very vital for the child to receive immediate treatment and increase chances of survival. In the US, there is about 300 children affected with pediatric retinoblastoma every year. Symptoms of Pediatric Retinoblastoma Symptoms of Pediatric Retinoblastoma include strabismus or crossed-eyes. This condition needs immediate help from an ophthalmologist. Other signs include poor vision, white pupil or change in size of the pupil. Diagnosis of Pediatric Retinoblastoma In early detection of kids’ eye cancer, a red reflex examination is performed by a pediatrician. More so, this is done after childbirth, before the baby is discharged from neonatal nursery as recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics. If there is an abnormal red reflex found, the child should be immediately referred to an ophthalmologist for funduscopic examination. After the examination is completed, fundus photography will also be performed to identify the size of tumor and stage. Another procedure to be done is the ophthalmic ultrasound that may show bright spots. MRI is also preferred over CT scan to reduce the risk of exposing the child to develop second cancer and avoid unnecessary radiation. Once pediatric retinoblastoma is confirmed, the patient shall be referred to see an ocular oncologist. Treatment of Kid’s Eye Cancer Managing kid’s eye cancer should be tailored-fit to the patient’s case. Factors to be considered include the location of the tumor, size, laterality, and vision prognosis. The patient should be referred to an ocular oncologist who is trained to treat retinoblastoma. Management of pediatric retinoblastoma is rather complex and there are three chosen methods for treatment; enucleation, focal therapy, and chemotherapy. A single treatment or combination may be used depending on the case of the patient and how the child responds to the treatment. Kids’ Eye Cancer Legal Assistance The patient and the family need all the medical help they can get but without proper diagnosis of kids’ eye cancer, no treatment will be administered and it might be too late. If the family has questions about whether there was misdiagnosis, they can seek for legal assistance with a pediatric retinoblastoma attorney. Contact 888-726-6735 now for legal...
read moreAn Insider Look on Pediatric Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer affecting the retina, a thin membrane behind the pupil of the eye. A child may be diagnosed of pediatric retinoblastoma as early as 18 months. This type of eye cancer may be hereditary or non-hereditary. If left untreated, the tumor can spread throughout the retina, vitreous or fluid inside the eyes, eye socket, even the optic nerve and the brain. It can also spread to the bones and the bone marrow. Hereditary About forty percent of patients suffering from retinoblastoma have genetic defects which lead to multiple tumors affecting one or both eyes. It is commonly known as germline retinoblastoma or hereditary. These children are usually diagnosed before they reach 1 year old. And these patients may pass this condition to their future children. Patients diagnosed with eye cancer have higher possibility of developing other types of cancer. Non-hereditary About sixty percent of the patients have non-hereditary pediatric retinoblastoma. Mostly like, these patients have developed tumor in one eye only. On average, this tumor can be diagnosed on two-year-old children. Retinoblastoma Treatment Surgery is performed to remove the affected eye in cases of patients having advanced retinoblastoma. If only one eye is affected and is removed, above 90 percent of patients no longer need more treatment thereafter. However, if both eyes are affected, only one eye is removed, and the rest of the treatment will be focused on saving the other eye. If tumor has spread into tissues around the eyes or eye socket, chemotherapy is administered to patients after the surgery. Chemotherapy uses strong medicines through injection to kill the cancer cells, stop their growth, and avoid growing more cancer cells. Periocular injection is a local treatment to focus on the affected eye. Injection can also be done in the blood stream, for the medicine to protect the body, preventing cancer cells to spread in other parts. Using chemotherapy alone cannot cure this eye cancer, and patients receive another treatment called focal therapy. Focal therapy is a laser treatment therapy or cryotherapy while the patient is under anesthesia. This kind of treatment may be continued even after chemotherapy has been completed. In some cases, tumors developed in the eyes, if relatively small, are treated with focal therapy only. Radiation therapy uses X-rays with high-energy or radiation, killing cancer cells or stopping their growth. This type of treatment is only reserved in case patients have not responded well to other therapies. One type is external radiation which uses a machine to deliver X-ray dose. Another is internal radiation which uses needles, wires or tubes to deliver radiation directly to the part of the body affected by cancer. Kids with eye cancer deserve the best treatment prior to early and proper diagnosis. If the patient has not received proper diagnosis and treatment, the family may seek legal assistance by calling 888-726-6735...
read moreDetecting Pediatric Retinoblastoma: Different Stages, Signs & Symptoms
What Is Pediatric Retinoblastoma? It is a malignant tumor that develops within the eye’s retina, which is the thin nerve tissue of the eye responsible in sensing light and transmitting images to the brain. This disease may occur at any age, but it commonly occurs during the early stages of childhood, usually before a child reaches the age of five. Retinoblastoma may either occur in only one eye or both eyes, but if left untreated, it may metastasize to other parts of the body. The Four Stages Of Pediatric Retinoblastoma In order for the physician to be able to plan the treatment for retinoblastoma, two factors need to be considered to determine the stage of the cancer: the size of the tumor, and its location. Intraocular Retinoblastoma. The cancer cells are found unilaterally or bilaterally, but does not affect the tissues surrounding the eyes or other parts of the face. Extraocular Retinoblastoma. The cancer cells have started spreading to areas outside the eye. The cells may be confined only to the tissues surrounding the eye, or it may have already spread to other parts of the body. Trilateral Retinoblastoma. Sometimes, children with bilateral retinoblastoma may have a third tumor that develops in the pineal gland of the brain (the gland that produces melatonin, which is the sleep hormone). This tumor may cause nerve disorders and must be diagnosed as early as possible, because treating it may require a different approach. Recurrent Retinoblastoma. From the name itself, it means that the cancer cells have returned or progressed after treatment has already been done, and it may recur either in the eye or somewhere else in the body. Common Signs And Symptoms Of Pediatric Retinoblastoma White Pupillary Reflex (Leukocoria). The most common early symptom of the disease. It is diagnosed by shining a light in the eye and the color of the pupil is checked. If the color is red (blood vessels in the back of the eye), the eye is normal; but if the color is white or pink, the eye has retinoblastoma. Lazy Eye (Strabismus). A condition in which one eye is facing a different direction than the other. Though this may have other possible causes in children, it can also be caused by retinoblastoma. When To See A Doctor If you notice something unusual about your child’s eyes, contact your physician as soon as possible. Pediatric Retinoblastoma is a rare form of cancer, so the physician may consider other eye conditions first. However, if your family has a history with the disease, then you should consult with the physician and ask when your child should begin undergoing regular eye exams to screen for...
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If you are looking for an experienced attorney who is passionate about helping children with pediatric retinoblastoma and their families rebuild their life, please call me:
888.726.6735
Bill Ruffier
Board Certified
Civil Trial Attorney
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