[Retinoblastoma: genetic background, modern diagnostic methods and therapies].

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular eye tumor of the pediatric age. It develops on account of a mutation on chromosome 13 in the 13q14 locus. New studies additionally demonstrated changes in the expression of other genes classified as oncogenes and suppressor genes. The tumor occurs in two forms--heritable (genetic) and non-heritable (non-genetic, sporadic). The most common clinical features of retinoblastoma are leucocoria and strabismus, however, they are not that specific because may also occur in several other eye diseases, such as Coats disease and toxocarosis. The diagnosis of retinoblastoma requires an indirect ophthalmoscopic examination. In addition, imaging techniques such as ultrasonography (USG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, less commonly, computer tomography (CT) are used. Biopsy is contraindicated because of the risk of spreading cancer cells to the adjacent tissues and possibility of a metastasis development. Currently, the stage of the disease and the therapy prognosis are classified by the International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification. At present, chemotherapy is the standard treatment of retinoblastoma. During the last decades new therapies have been introduced, such as transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), cryotherapy, brachytherapy, limiting the use of teletherapy and the number of performed enucleations. Patients with therapy-induced remission of retinoblastoma should undergo routine examinations because of the increased risk of subsequent neoplasms and other possible complications.