RETINOBLASTOMA AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY: ROLE IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor that originates in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of the eye, and is the most common ocular cancer in children. Despite its rarity, retinoblastoma holds significant clinical and scientific relevance. Understanding its epidemiology, mortality, and the implications of its study underscores the need for ongoing efforts in research, prevention, and treatment. Improvements in these areas have the potential not only to save lives but also to advance knowledge about hereditary cancers and promote global health equity. A detailed understanding of the clinical and diagnostic characteristics of retinoblastoma, combined with advances in early detection methods and therapeutic approaches, is essential to improving the prognosis and quality of life for patients affected by this neoplasm. Interventional radiological techniques play a crucial role in the treatment of retinoblastoma, providing effective and safe therapeutic options. Intra-arterial chemotherapy, transpupillary thermotherapy, and focal radiotherapy represent significant advancements in ocular oncology, offering hope and better prognoses for patients affected by this neoplasm. Recent developments in interventional radiology for the treatment of retinoblastoma have achieved significant advances in terms of efficacy and safety, with technological innovations that enhance the precision and effectiveness of treatments. Future research directions, including nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and gene therapy, promise to further transform the therapeutic landscape, offering new hopes for cure and vision preservation in patients with retinoblastoma.