Abstract
Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor of the retina. Most of the patients are children less than 3 years old. It has two types, bilateral and unilateral. The most frequent sign is leucocoria which is a white pupil, reflecting white light from a white tumor within the eyeball. The second important sign is squint. Diagnosis is rather easy by fundus examination, visible as far as the fundus is visible. Advanced tumors are frequently diagnosed using ultrasonography or CT scan which can visualize calcified masses. Eyeballs with advanced tumors are removed and a prosthesis, an arteficial eyeball, is used. Non-advanced tumors are treated with eye-preservation therapy using chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other means to maintain visual function. The life prognosis is excellent but patients with bilatelal retinoblastoma must be careful about frequent secondary cancers.
