(ret‵ĭn-ō-blas‵tō'mă )

[ retina + blastoma ]

A malignant glioma of the retina, usually unilateral, that occurs in young children and is usually hereditary. One of hundreds of genetic mutations in the retinoblastoma protein (a tumor regulatory protein) may be responsible. The initial diagnostic finding is usually a yellow or white light reflex seen at the pupil (cat's eye reflex). Several treatment options are available depending on the size and extent of the tumor, whether both eyes are involved, and the general health of the patient. These options include chemosurgery, intravitreous chemotherapy, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, scleral plaque irradiation, and , when other treatments fail, enucleation.