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/ Eye Diseases
Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer of childhood and effects approximately 300 children in the United States each year.
A modern day medical success story, more than 90% of children can be cured of this cancer by early detection and removal of the affected eye. Unfortunately, some children can have both eyes affected. Whenever possible, eye-cancer specialists try to save a child’s eye and preserve vision.
Retinoblastoma was the first cancer to be directly associated with a genetic abnormality (Deletions or mutation of the q14 band of chromosome 13). Retinoblastoma can occur sporadically (without a family history) or it can be inherited (with a family history).
If a genetic mutation is found there is a 45-50% chance that the parents will have another child with retinoblastoma. If there is no family history and no mutation is found, the risk of having a second child with retinoblastoma is 2-5%. The average age of children with retinoblastoma is 18 months
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