Treating Retinoblastoma | Top Cancer Pediatric Doctor | Dr. Atish Bakane

 Treating Retinoblastoma | Top Cancer Pediatric Doctor | Dr. Atish Bakane

Retinoblastoma is rare, so many doctors don't have much experience treating it other than in specialized eye hospitals and major children's cancer centers. Children with retinoblastoma and their families have special needs that can be best met by these children's cancer centers. These centers have teams of specialists who are aware of the unique needs of children with retinoblastoma and cancer. This gives the child the best chance of recovery and, if possible, maintaining their vision.

Children with retinoblastoma are treated by a team of doctors that often includes:

• A pediatrician: a doctor who treats eye diseases in children

• An ocular oncologist: a doctor (usually an ophthalmologist) who treats cancer of the eye

• Best Pediatric oncologist: a doctor who treats children with cancer

• A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy

The team may also include other doctors, physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, therapists, child psychologists, social workers, genetic counselors and other professionals. A child undergoing cancer treatment often means meeting a lot of specialists and learning about parts of the medical system that you may not have been familiar with before.

Making Treatment Decisions

Once the cancer is detected and the necessary tests are done, the cancer care team will discuss treatment options with you. It is important to discuss all the options as well as their potential side effects with your child's doctors to help you make an informed decision.

If time allows, it's often a good idea to get a second opinion from another doctor experienced with your child's type of cancer. This can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose. If you're not sure where to go for a second opinion, ask your doctor for help.

If your child has retinoblastoma, make sure they are treated at a children's cancer center that has expertise in treating children with this rare type of cancer. Ask about the services offered at your treatment center. Your child's doctor or nurse can tell you what is available to help with any problems you or your child are having.

Thinking about Participating in a Clinical Trial

Today, most children and adolescents with cancer are treated in specialized children's cancer centers. These centers provide the most up-to-date treatments by conducting clinical trials (studies of promising new treatments). Children's cancer centers often conduct multiple clinical trials at any one time, and in fact most children treated at these centers participate in a clinical trial as part of their treatment.

Clinical trials are one way to receive state-of-the-art cancer treatments. Sometimes they can be the only way to gain access to new treatments (though there is no guarantee that new treatments will be better). They are also the best way for doctors to learn better ways to treat these cancers. Still, they may not be right for everyone.

If you want to learn more about clinical trials that may be right for your child, start by asking the treatment team if your clinic or hospital conducts clinical trials.

Considering Complementary and Alternative Methods

You may hear about alternative or complementary methods that your doctor hasn't mentioned for treating your child's tumor or relieving symptoms. These methods may include vitamins, herbs, and special diets, or other methods such as acupuncture or massage, to name a few.

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used in conjunction with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of standard medical treatments. While some of these methods may help relieve symptoms or make people feel better, many have not been proven effective. Some may even be harmful.

Be sure to talk to your child's cancer care team about any method you are thinking of using. They can help you learn what is known (or not known) about the method, which can help you make an informed decision.

Help Cure Cancer

Your child's cancer care team will be your first source of information and support, but there are other resources to help you when you need it. Hospital- or clinic-based support services may also be an important part of your care. These may include nursing or social work services, financial assistance, nutritional advice, rehabilitation, or spiritual support. For children and teens with cancer and their families, other specialists can also be an important part of care.