What treatments are available for retinoblastoma?
• Laser Photocoagulation and Thermotherapy – laser light is used to destroy the tumor. • Cryotherapy – freezing treatment to destroy the tumor. • Chemotherapy – drug treatment given via the bloodstream to kill the cancer cells and sometimes utilized in conjunction with laser therapy • Radiotherapy – high energy radiation to destroy cancer cells administered via external beam radiation or plaque therapy. • Proton beam therapy – newer, developing treatment. • Enucleation – removal of the eye. The type of treatment depends on a number of factors including: unilateral vs bilateral, location of tumor, size of tumor and vision potential of the eye/eyes. Single treatment or a combination of treatments may be used. An operation to surgically remove just the tumor is not feasible since it would risk the spread of malignant cells outside of the eye. The eye MD and Oncologist determine and explain the available treatment options [See figures 1 and 2].
