Retinoblastoma
Saving the Eyes and Lives of Our Children in Cameroon
Retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer in children. It starts in the retina (at the back of the eye) and can spread rapidly inside and beyond the eyeball.
While it is a rare disease, it is dangerous and deadly if it is not caught early.
It affects worldwide 1 in 15 to 20000 livebirths .Every year in Cameroon, we expect to see more than 50 cases of retinoblastoma, but we currently diagnose fewer than 30 cases. This means many children are suffering at home without getting the help they need.
How the Disease Develops ?
The human eye captures light and images, sending them to the brain so we can see. The retina, located at the back of the eye, is made of special visual cells.
Retina cells are formed in the foetus and have a natural tendency to proliferate while maturing . Tumour suppressor genes are special particles inside the cells that prevent abnormal cells proliferation .
Faulty tumour suppressor genes can occur sporadically by mutation after conception ,leading to an abnormal proliferation of abnormal retinal cells. Usually affecting one eye (unilateral retinoblastoma).This mechanism concerns the non-heritable form of RB which makes 60% of RB cases
When faulty tumour suppressor genes are inherited from parents ,they are found in both eyes . It becomes possible to have proliferation of abnormal cells in both eyes (bilateral retinoblastoma ) which makes 40% of RB cases
As these abnormal cells multiply, they form a white, dome-shaped mass that quickly fills the inside of the eye. If left untreated, the cancer can travel down the optic nerve to the brain, which is highly life-threatening.
Fig 1 : Normal eye and eye with retinoblastoma
Fig2 : natural view of retinoblastoma in the eye
4 Warning Signs Every Parent Must Know ?
In the early stages, this cancer is completely silent and painless. Parents must actively look out for these signs .
- A White Glow in the Pupil (Leukocoria): This is the most common sign. Instead of a normal black pupil or a “red-eye” reflection in low light, you will see a shiny white spot, similar to a cat’s eye reflecting light at night.
- Crossed Eyes (Strabismus): If a tumor grows at the bottom of the eye, the child will twist or deviate their eye to try and see around it.
- Unexplained Redness or Inflammation: A red, swollen eye that did not suffer any injury or trauma.
- Advanced Signs: In later stages, the eyeball becomes visibly enlarged, deformed (buphthalmos ), or starts bulging forward out of the eye socket.(exorbitism )
 leukocoria |
 strabismus |
 Ocular inflammation |
 Buphthalmos |
 Exorbitism |
|
Far too often in Cameroon, the early white glow is neglected or misdiagnosed, and children are only brought to eye doctors when the cancer has already fully occupied the eye socket.
How Eye Doctors Diagnose Retinoblastoma?
Diagnosis of retinoblastoma is most often clinical . Full pupil dilation could be performed to avoid missing out small tumours located in the periphery .
iSome cases require
– An Examination Under Anesthesia: The patient is sleeping and the doctor can do a thorough assessment of the eye /tumour or anomaly . It helps with the classification of the tumour , determination of treatment strategies and the evolution under treatment
– An Ocular Ultrasound: A quick scan to look for intraocular calcifications inside the eye and asses tumour size.
– An MRI Scan: A safe imaging test used toassess suspicious cases and see if the cancer has spread toward the optic nerve / brain.
Hope and Treatment in Cameroon?
In Western countries, the cure rate for retinoblastoma is over 95% owing to early diagnosis and different means of treatment .
In Cameroon, our cure rate is currently near 50%. But we can improve through early detection before any other mean.
In the past, the only treatment was removing the eye. Today,retinoblastoma care has advanced . Since 2025, eye-saving (conservative) treatments are now available right here in Cameroon for children diagnosed early. This means we can destroy the cancer while saving the child’s eye and their sight.
Depending on how early the disease is diagnosed, a multidisciplinary team of doctors will use different tools:
- Chemotherapy: Medications given through an IntraVeinous line, directly through the eye’s main artery, or injected into the eye to shrink the tumor.
- Laser treatment or Freezing treatment ( Cryotherapy): Direct heat or cold applied to destroy small tumors.
- Surgery: If the disease is too advanced, the eyeball must be removed (enucleation) to save the child’s life.
Afterward, an ocularist creates a customized artificial eye (prosthesis). This helps the child’s facial bones grow normally and restores a natural appearance.
- Radiation therapy: Targeted treatments used for advanced cases.
Where to Find Help in Cameroon?
You do not need to travel abroad. We have a dedicated network of hospitals in Cameroon ready to diagnose, guide, and treat your child. If you notice any warning signs, immediately visit:
- Fondation Chantal Biya-Central Hospital Yaounde
- MICEI (OKOLA : Outskirt of Yaounde)
- ACHA Hospitals
Mbingo Hospitals
- Mboppi Baptist Hospital (Douala) (conservative management available )
- Meskine Baptist Hospital (Maroua)(conservative management available )
A Call to Action for Parents?
We understand that families face heavy burdens, such as the cost of medicines , transportation issues, travelling often to come for multiple follow-up appointments (RDVs).
However, our data shows that the children who survive this cancer are those who were brought to the hospital early, attended all their medical appointments, and received timely care.
Do not wait. A shiny spot, a deviating eye, or a persistently red eye in a young child requires an immediate medical eye assessment.Even if it is not a cancer , it could be a disease able to compromise the visual development of your child .
Yes Retinoblastoma is deadly but curable !!!
Consult early. Orientate early. Treat early to save a life and even sight!
- Dr E.Kamdem. MD
- Mboppi Baptist Hospital
GFAOP
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