Retinoblastoma (RB)

See also: Ocular Oncology Team and Eye Cancer

What is retinoblastoma?

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare type of eye cancer that mainly affects young children and occurs in one in 20,000 live births. It is a malignant tumor of the retina, the back of the eye. Retinoblastoma can be hereditary or non-hereditary. When inherited, it can affect both eyes and sometimes other organs of the body, whereas the non-hereditary type will usually only affect one eye.

Diagnosing retinoblastoma

Emory Eye Center employs the most advanced technology available for detecting blinding retinal diseases in children. Our RetCam 120 camera provides a high-resolution, 120-degree view of the retina. Standard cameras, which provide 30- to 60-degree views, miss the periphery of the retina. This technology is particularly useful for retinoblastoma, which can involve a large portion of the retina. Early detection and medical or surgical intervention can help these children keep their sight, and in the case of retinoblastoma, save their lives.

Clinical care

We offer compassionate, expert care for retinoblastoma by providing the combined expertise of the specialists in our Ocular Oncology Team , which includes a pediatric retina surgeon, pediatric oncologist, radiation oncologist, genetics counselor and a host of consultants.

As part of the Emory Healthcare network, our eye cancer specialists collaborate with radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and physicists at Winship Cancer Institute and the Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta to provide state-of-the art clinical care and treatment options for patients with this disease. Oncologic care, medical, radiation, surgical and laser treatments are coordinated with other Emory Healthcare services, including dermatology, neurosurgery, and head and neck surgery.

Untreated, retinoblastoma can metastasize to other parts of the body, resulting in death. Using current treatment approaches, the survival rate for retinoblastoma now exceeds 90% and more vision is being saved than ever before.

Huggable Happy Tails pet brings smiles at the June 2008 RB Day festivities.

RB Kids Day

Annually in June, some 45 to 60 young patients, typically ranging in ages from infancy up to 12 years, and their families come from all over Georgia and the Southeast —and sometimes as far away as Europe–for Emory Eye Center's Retinoblastoma Kids Day (RB) picnic.

“This event is so special because it provides those parents who may have a child with newly diagnosed retinoblastoma the realization that this disease can have an outcome that is extremely positive,” says Rhonda Waldron, diagnostic echographer at the Emory Eye Center, who organizes the RB Picnic each year.

The highly anticipated day of celebration includes clowns, food, a pony rides, Happy Tails pet-assisted therapy.

“I really look forward to this event,” says Baker Hubbard, MD, Emory Eye Center’s pediatric retinal specialist who treats these children. “It is great fun to have all the children and families together in a non-medical atmosphere where we can all relax and enjoy the activities together.” Dr. Hubbard has worked with RB children and their families since coming to Emory Eye Center in 2000.