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Treating Retinoblastoma TOPICS

Cryotherapy for retinoblastoma

In cryotherapy, the doctor uses a small metal probe that is cooled to very low temperatures, killing the retinoblastoma cells by freezing them. It is only effective for small tumors toward the front of the eye; it is not routinely used for children with several tumors.

The child will be under general anesthesia (in a deep sleep) during the treatment. After the child is asleep, the probe is placed on the outer surface of the eyeball next to the tumor, which is then frozen and thawed several times. Cryotherapy is usually given 2 or 3 times, with about a month between treatments.

Possible side effects: Cryotherapy may cause the eye and eyelid to swell for a few days. As with laser therapy, cryotherapy can damage the retina, which can lead to blind spots or temporarily cause the retina to detach from the back of the eyeball.

Last Medical Review: 12/05/2013
Last Revised: 12/05/2013