Retinoblastoma Treatment

Retinoblastoma treatment depends on several factors, such as the size, location, and stage of the cancer. Doctors will also take into account the patient’s vision, whether the cancer has spread, and whether the pediatric retinoblastoma is present in one or both eyes. Localized treatment for smaller tumors may involve lasers and extreme heat or cold to kill cancer cells. When the cancer has spread, chemotherapy or surgery may be needed.


Chemotherapy involves anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. This type of retinoblastoma treatment is given using different methods. Chemotherapy is primarily administered in pill form, or injected into the blood stream. Chemotherapy may be administered throughout the patient’s body, called systemic chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may also be administered into the tissues surrounding the eye, as well as into the ophthalmic artery. The ophthalmic artery provides blood supply directly to the eyes.

Radiation Therapy

There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy. These retinoblastoma treatment techniques use high energy particles or X-rays to slow the cancer’s rate of growth or kill them completely. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation beams on the cancer from an outside source. Brachytherapy is also referred to as plaque radiotherapy or internal radiation therapy. During this retinoblastoma treatment, radioactive materials are sewn onto the eyeball. The plaques, or radioactive material carriers, release small amounts of radiation to kill cancer cells.

Temperature-related Retinoblastoma Treatment

Retinoblastoma treatment may involve the use of extreme cold or heat to kill cancer cells. There are three main types of temperature-related retinoblastoma treatment: cryotherapy, thermotherapy, and laser therapy. All three of these retinoblastoma treatment techniques are best suited for targeting smaller tumors.


Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold to kill cancer cells. When administering cryotherapy, a small, cold probe is used to freeze and kill pediatric retinoblastoma cells. Cryotherapy is used for small retinoblastoma tumors that are located near the front of the patient’s eye.


Thermotherapy for retinoblastoma involves the use of a special heat-producing laser. Thermotherapy is similar to laser therapy. This retinoblastoma treatment is typically used for small tumors. For larger tumors, thermotherapy may be combined with chemotherapy.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy, also called photocoagulation, is another form of retinoblastoma treatment involving heat to kill cancer cells. Laser therapy uses special laser beams that are aimed through the patient’s pupil. This technique is used to treat smaller tumors.

Surgical Retinoblastoma Treatment

Surgical retinoblastoma treatment is used when larger tumors have caused significant damage to the patient’s eye and vision. Enucleation is a surgical retinoblastoma treatment during which the patient’s whole eye is removed, as well as a portion of the attached optic nerve. The removed eye is typically replaced with an orbital implant, which is then fitted with an artificial eye. If enucleation is needed in both eyes, the patient will become blind.


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“Treatment Options for Retinoblastoma.” National Cancer Institute. National Institutes of Health, 27 Aug 2013. Web. 29 Nov 2013. <>.