Preface

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary ocular malignancy of childhood. In the previous half century, universal treatment for this tumor has been limited to enucleation only. However, with evolving new treatment modalities, better understanding of the genetic background of this tumor with corresponding counseling, and improving health awareness, many specialized centers have been able to offer conservative management with preserved functional vision in many cases. The survival of affected children has also been dramatically improved.

This book is the product of collective unique information that covers all major aspects of this tumor starting from a description of the history of the disease. The first part of the book has been designed to take you on an interesting journey over history, including the distribution of RB throughout the world with epidemiological information and a brief genetic description. The second part extensively tackles the clinical presentation of the tumor highlighting the presence of late advanced cases in spite of increasing health awareness of this tumor. Then, within the same part of the book, readers will find a comprehensive summary of all treatment modalities used in the previous era of management, as well as the most recently updated therapeutic options. Diagnostic tools are also included in that part to show the value of radiological assessment and the importance of the histopathological careful evaluation of the tumor in enucleated globes. Classification of the tumor according to the American Joint Commission on Cancer is also described aiming to show its importance in the determination of further chemotherapy and as a guideline for prognosis. The last chapters in the second part also mention secondary malignancies and long-term follow-up in these patients.

The book is well written in a way that allows readers to grasp and retain the information, thus it is suitable as a baseline reference book for general ophthalmologists, residents under training, as well as highly specialized pediatric ophthalmologists/oncologists who are actually dealing with these patients. It is also of benefit to healthcare leaders who are interested in exploring the magnitude of the morbidity that is related to this tumor in children, especially in developing countries, to execute plans for health awareness and genetic counseling for a brighter future.

The collective information in this book comes from a wide range of sources with remarkable contributions from radiologists, pediatric oncologists, senior ophthalmologists who are directly involved in this field and who have much experience, and selected junior ophthalmologists. The editor would like to acknowledge all contributing authors.

Last but not least, the reader will find that the book is enjoyable and full of useful information with illustrations and images.
