Retinoblastoma is an ocular cancer that primarily affects children, often appearing before their fifth birthday. About 200 to 300 children are diagnosed with retinoblastoma each year in the United States. It often arises from a genetic mutation that inhibits the normal functioning of the tumor suppressor gene known as RB1, located on chromosome 13q14. Consequently, affected individuals may develop tumors in the eye early in life.
Early detection of retinoblastoma ensures prompt intervention to massively treatment outcomes. Among the methods employed to identify this malignancy at its nascent stages, Pr3vent’s advanced newborn screening retina examination provides a very sensitive result compared to standard tests. If detected early, interventions are more successful. Early detection also reduces the need for difficult and extreme treatments.
The clinical manifestation of retinoblastoma varies widely depending on factors such as disease stage and tumor size. Recognizable symptoms may include leukocoria (i.e., a whitish glare) observed during flash photography or light exposure, strabismus (commonly known as crossed eyes), painful eye and enlarged eye.
Once diagnosed, treatment strategies for retinoblastoma depend on several factors including whether one or both eyes are affected and if there is any risk of metastasis. The therapeutic approach may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cryotherapy (using extreme cold to destroy malignant tissue), laser therapy, and surgical interventions like enucleation (removal of the affected eyeball).
From a publication of the American Academy of Ophthalmology*: "𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭."
Precisely our core belief, early detection is key. Working together to protect eyesight from the very start and prevent vision loss.
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