Retinoblastoma Stages: An Introduction
Once a doctor makes a
retinoblastoma diagnosis, he or she may order more tests to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called retinoblastoma staging. It is important to know the stage of the cancer in order to plan retinoblastoma treatment.
Retinoblastoma Staging Tests
Doctors may use the following tests and procedures in the staging process:
- Eye exam
- Ultrasound
- CT (computed tomography) scan
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Lumbar puncture.
Eye Exam
During an eye exam, the doctor dilates the pupil with medicated eyedrops and looks through the lens and pupil to the retina. Then he or she examines the inside of the eye, including the retina and the optic nerve, using a light. Depending on the age of the child, this exam may be done under anesthesia.
Ultrasound Exam
An ultrasound is a procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs, like the eye, and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram.
CT Scan
A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) is a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the eye, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print