Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare tumour of the eye which occurs in early childhood (1).

• it is the most common intraocular malignancy of childhood (2)
• majority of cases (80%) are diagnosed before the age of 3 years (3)

The tumour develops from immature retinal cells which replace the retina and other intraocular tissue. The high mitotic and apoptotic rate of these cells result in an increase in tumour cell turnover which in turn causes necrotic and distrophic calcification in the retina (3).

Reference:

• (1) Carter J. Retinoblastoma. GPonline 2009.
• (2) Dimaras H et al. Retinoblastoma. Lancet. 2012;379(9824):1436-46
• (3) Chintagumpala M et al. Retinoblastoma: review of current management. Oncologist. 2007;12(10):1237-46