Retinablastoma Prevention

Prevention

Genetic counseling and close monitoring and screening for people at risk for retinoblastoma can help prevent the disease or detect it early if it occurs.

Early diagnosis and treatment improve the chance of successful treatment. Prevention and early detection techniques include:

• Screening—Children born into families with a history of retinoblastoma should have regular eye exams to screen for development of the tumor. All children should have regular eye screening by their doctor.
• Genetic counseling—This may help determine a person’s risk of developing retinoblastoma. If you have retinoblastoma or have a family history of the disorder, you can talk to a genetic counselor when deciding to have children.
• Monitoring for recurrence—People who have been treated for retinoblastoma require regular medical exams to assess the success of treatment and check for recurrence or bilateral disease.
• Monitoring for other cancers—Children with retinoblastoma are at increased risk for an associated brain tumor and other cancers in the body.