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| TRAVELS WITH MY DINOSAUR - The Retinoblastoma Society - |
| UNITED KINGDOM Rb SOCIETY |
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| The Retinoblastoma Society |
| Fighting Eye Cancer in Children |
| Retinoblastoma is a highly malignant tumour of the retina. It is the most common eye tumour in children and occurs almost exclusively in children younger than five years old. Although Rb is rare (accounting for less than 3% of childrhood cancers in the UK and USA) 80-90% of children are now successfully treated in the developed world. Treatments include chemotherapy, cryotherapy (freezing the tumour), laser, various forms of radiation, and surgical removal of the affected eye/s (enucleation). About 40% of children with Rb carry a mutation on the cancer suppressing RB1 gene of chromosome 13. These children are at much greater risk of developing other cancers later in life, particularly if they received radiotherapy in infancy. The United Kingdom Retinoblastoma Society was the first major support group established for families dealing with Rb. It is now a national organisation, also upporting many families around the world. The society hosts annual Family Days and offers support across the country through a network of regional family contacts. It publishes an in depth booklet explaining rb, it's treatments and genetics. It also supports a play specialist serving Moorfields and the Royal London Hospitals, and sells Dino, the Rb Dinosaur (with artificial eyes) to families facing enucleation of their child's eye(s). To learn more about Retinoblastoma, click on the links below. The UK Retinoblastoma Society Orphans ot the Storm ORbIT Resources Dr David Abramson's Retinoblastoma Site |