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Cancer cells replicate constantly, creating tumors that interfere with organ function. Some factors that can increase an individuals risk of developing any cancer include:
Old age Smoking Exposure to ionizing radiation Exposure to sunlight without sunscreen Exposure to toxic chemicals Certain pathogens Family history
Works Cited: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/reti noblastoma http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Retinoblastom a/index http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/retinoblasto ma http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/P MH0002025/ http://www.djo.harvard.edu/site.php?url=/pati ents/pi/436 http://www.mskcc.org/pediatrics/childhood/re tinoblastoma/treatment http://www.graphicshunt.com/health/images/r etinoblastoma-2387.htm http://www.chla.org/atf/cf/%7B1CB444DF77C3-4D94-82FAE366D7D6CE04%7D/eye_diagram.jpg
Retinoblastoma:
Cancer of the Retina
Retinoblastoma is different in that it typically occurs in early childhood. One out of four retinoblastoma cases are present at birth, and most cases are detected in children under two years old. Retinoblastomas causes include:
Family history- 40% of retinoblastoma cases are hereditary Mutation of the RBI tumor suppressor gene
Fortunately, retinoblastoma is both rare and treatable. Only three hundred cases occur yearly in America, and 98% of victims survive if the cancer is detected before it spreads. Treatments include: Enecleation- the removal of the eye.
This procedure has a near perfect success rate and is the most common treatment. Surgery takes under an hour, and is painless
Early detection is critical if a patient is to be cured. Signs that a child may have retinoblastoma are: Crossed eyes Abnormal iris coloration Double vision- in young
children this can result in persistent disorientation
Retinoblastoma begins on the retina, the area in the back of the eye that detects light. If not treated, the tumor can grow to fill much of the eye. Cancerous masses may break off from the tumor, float through the vitreous body, and begin to grow in new areas. If these growths block fluid channels, pressure increases in the eye can cause pain and lead to blindness. Retinoblastoma spreads only rarely. It can grow into the brain via the optic nerve or grows through the walls of the eye into surrounding tissue. Once the cancer has left the eye, it can spread to anywhere in the body through the circulatory system. The primary tumor will be easily detectable by then.
If a child is suspected to have this disease, a doctor will perform an eye exam, eye ultrasound, or MRI or CT scan
Prevention
Retinoblastoma is hereditary. People who have had retinoblastoma may pass on a cancerous gene to their offspring. They should consult a doctor before making the decision to have children.