Retinoblastoma

Alternative names:

cancer of the retina; tumor - retina

Definition:

A malignant tumor of the retina that affects children under the age of 5.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of most cases of retinoblastoma has recently been determined to be the absence of a tumor suppresser gene. Retinoblastoma and other associated malignancies tend to run in families.

One or both eyes may be affected. A visible whiteness in the pupil may be present. Blindness can occur in the affected eye, and the eyes may appear crossed. The tumor can spread to the eye socket, and to the brain, by means of the optic nerve. The risk factors other than a family history are not known. This is a rare tumor.