Retinoblastoma

// Retinoblastoma is a rapidly developing cancer which develops in the cells of retina, the light detecting tissue of the eye. //
 * Period 2 **
 * Eric **
 * Alex **
 * Phoebe **

//** Causes **//
 * sex-linked genetic disorder or auto some
 * It is caused by a mutation in a gene controlling/causing cells to grow out of control and become cancerous

//** Pattern of Inheritance **//
 * Auto some is dominant
 * Sometimes the disease is inheritable from family or will receive the disease themselves.
 * The person can get a copy of the gene from a pattern that is altered that results in a mutation
 * A non-germal is inherited on the person's own account.

//** Characteristics of the Disorder **//
 * Rb is another name for the disease.
 * This disease is very rare and is physical limiting.
 * Most kids are diseased and diagnosed before 5 years old.
 * 2 forms-genetic and non-heritable form, if there is no history in family then it is considered "sporadic"
 * 9 out of 10 people who have the disease will survive into adulthood
 * 55% of children who have the disease will have the non-genetic version.
 * 2 out of 3 people will only be diseased in one eye, this is called unilateral retinoblastoma.
 * 1 out of 3 people will only be diseased with both eyes, this is called bilateral retinoblastoma.
 * 1 in 15,000 live births

//** Signs and Symptoms **//
 * Abnormal appearance of pupil, leukoeoria
 * Deterioration of vision, red/irritated eye [[image:7294_Image_of_baby_with_retinoblastoma.JPG align="right"]]
 * Deterioration of vision or delayed development
 * Squinting-"cross eyed"/"wall-eyed"
 * Eye enlargement

//** Treatments **//
 * Curable
 * 1) Enouetiun
 * 2) External beam radiation
 * 3) Localized plaque radiation therapy
 * 4) Photo coagulation
 * 5) Cryotheraphy
 * 6) Chemotherapy

//** Prevention **//
 * There is no proven way to prevent Retinoblastoma,doctors are not 100% positive what causes it.


 * // Testing //**
 * [[image:retunit.jpg width="198" height="198" align="right"]] Mostly for newborns during the first three months of life.
 * The doctor will do a complete physical and eye exam. Some tests will include,
 * 1) Dilation of pupil
 * 2) CT/Cat Scan
 * 3) MRI scan of the head
 * 4) Ultrasound head and eye
 * 5) Screening of "well baby" test

__** Sources Used: **__ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002025/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinoblastoma