What kind of treatment is available for Retinoblastoma?

Treatment varies depending on the tumor laterality (1 or 2 eyes) and the tumor size. Treatments include intravenous chemoreduction, intra-arterial chemotherapy, subtenon’s chemotherapy, intravitreal chemotherapy, plaque radiotherapy, external radiotherapy, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, or enucleation.

  1. Intravenous chemotherapy (chemoreduction) – used mostly for patients with retinoblastoma in both eyes. Generally takes 6 sessions of treatment.
  2. Subtenon’s chemotherapy – used for advanced cases in conjunction with chemoreduction
  3. Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC)  – used for retinoblastoma in one or both eyes. Must be given by a special doctor that injects it into the artery that goes to the eye. Must be done in an experienced center. Effective for small, medium, and large retinoblastoma. Generally takes 3 sessions of treatment.
  4. Intravitreal chemotherapy (melphalan) – used for eyes that have viable seeding in the inside jelly (vitreous)
  5. Plaque radiotherapy- used to treat relatively small tumors by giving a precise tiny radiation dose to an active tumor.
  6. Cryotherapy/Thermotherapy – used to treat regressed retinoblastoma after chemotherapy so that they do not recur.
  7. Enucleation – used for advanced tumor that threatens the child’s life.