Treatment of retinoblastoma has evolved at a significant speed over the last two decades; ocular salvage approaches are now at the core of modern treatments, and assessment of visual and functional outcomes has become a priority. New discoveries in retinoblastoma biology are leading the way to the development of targeted therapies that could revolutionize our current approaches to the treatment. In this book, experts address all the important aspects of research and therapy - from biology to epidemiology to treatment. Retinoblastoma will provide a single source for the diagnosis and care of children with this malignancy.

Zusammenfassung
Although rare, retinoblastoma has been at the fore- fortunate; while in the developed world eye preser- front of cancer research and treatment for the last tion has become a priority, developing countries c- three decades. The two-hit hypothesis of oncogenesis tinue to face delays in diagnosis, poor access to care, proposed by Alfred Knudson provided the conceptual and suboptimal treatment the problem in the less framework for tumor suppressor gene research and developed world is cure. led to the discovery of the retinoblastoma pathway as In this book, we have invited a team of experts to a key element in cancer development. More recently, address all those important aspects of retinoblastoma the treatment of children with retinoblastoma has also research and therapy - from biology to epidemiology provided a model for modern approach to the can- to treatment. We hope that in subsequent editions we cer patient; state of the art retinoblastoma treatment will be able to continue to provide updates on such can only be conceived in the context of the multidis- exciting subjects.

Inhalt

Biology of Retinoblastoma.- Epidemiology.- Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Pathology.- Genetics of Retinoblastoma and Genetic Counseling.- Radiation Therapy in the Management of Retinoblastoma.- Chemotherapy in the Management of Retinoblastoma.- Treatment of Intraocular Retinoblastoma.- Treatment of Extraocular and Metastatic Retinoblastoma.- Second Malignancies and Other Long Term Effects in Retinoblastoma Survivors.- Visual Rehabilitation.- Retinoblastoma in Developing Countries.