Treatment of Retinal Tumors with Arterial Catheterization

What is a retinal tumor? 

A retinal tumor, also known as retinoblastoma, is a rare type of cancer that affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. This tumor is often diagnosed in children and may affect one or both eyes. The tumor can be life-threatening if not treated appropriately but is considered a cancer that can be successfully treated if detected early. Retinoblastoma ranges from very small to large enough to swallow the entire eye and may be localized within the eye globe or extend along the optic nerve. In rare cases, the tumor may spread inside the skull. Retinoblastoma can be hereditary (diagnosed before the age of one year), or non-hereditary (diagnosed by the age of two years), retinal tumors can be treated with arterial catheterization using interventional radiology without surgery, as we will discuss in this article.

- A white spot in the eye: A white spot may appear in the infant's pupil (the black part of the eye).

- Eye pain: The infant may feel pain in or around the eye.

- Eye fatigue: The infant may experience eye fatigue or difficulty concentrating.

- Sensitivity to light: The infant may become more sensitive to light than usual.

- Strabismus: The focus of the infant's eye may become permanently directed inwards or outwards.

- Loss of vision: Loss of vision in one or both eyes is the most common symptom of retinal tumors. The infant may face difficulty in seeing objects or distinguishing colors.

Retinoblastoma usually appears in eye images as a white or yellowish mass in the retina. Medical imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) can detect the presence of tumors and accurately determine their size and location.

How can retinal tumors be treated?

Treatment options for retinal tumors include several techniques depending on the size, location, and extent of the tumor:

Chemotherapy: Used to shrink the size of the tumor before further surgeries.

Radiotherapy: Used to kill cancer cells.

Surgery: To remove large tumors or when other treatments have failed.

Non-surgical treatment: Using interventional radiological techniques and arterial injections.

The ideal treatment for retinal tumors is selective intra-arterial chemotherapy using an arterial catheter, performed using interventional radiology techniques.

Arterial catheterization is one of the most advanced techniques for treating retinal tumors. This technique involves inserting a thin catheter into the femoral artery to deliver treatment directly to the tumors through the eye artery, also known as an arterial injection.

Arterial injection is an innovative technique that aims to selectively deliver chemotherapy directly to the tumor in the retina without reaching the rest of the body's healthy tissues:

1. Catheter insertion: A thin catheter is inserted through the femoral artery or carotid artery and precisely guided to the artery supplying the tumor in the eye.

2. Injecting the medicine: Therapeutic drugs are injected directly through a catheter into the artery feeding the tumor.

3. Follow-up results: After the injection, the patient is monitored using imaging techniques to ensure that the tumor is responding to the treatment.

Interventional radiology is the guiding tool in the treatment of retinal tumors. The technique is used to precisely guide catheters and medical instruments to the tumor site, increasing the effectiveness of treatment and minimizing potential damage to healthy tissue. The benefits of interventional radiology include:

High precision: It allows doctors to target the tumor with high precision, increasing the effectiveness of treatment.

Lower risks: It minimizes the complications associated with conventional treatments.

Rapid recovery period: It allows patients to return to their normal lives more quickly than with traditional surgery.

Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention is one of the leading medical centers for interventional radiology in Iraq. The Al Hayat Center provides advanced and comprehensive medical care, with a team of doctors specializing in the treatment of tumors using interventional radiology with the latest technologies.

- Accurate diagnosis: Using the latest imaging techniques to accurately determine the size and location of the tumor.

- Specialized treatment: Application of arterial injection techniques and interventional radiology to effectively treat retinal tumors.

- Comprehensive care: Providing psychological support and integrated care for patients and their families to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

Arterial catheterization is one of the most advanced techniques for the treatment of retinal tumors, offering high precision in the administration of treatment and minimizing the risks associated with traditional treatments. Thanks to advances in interventional radiology, retinal tumors can be treated more effectively and with faster recovery. Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention is one of the leading centers offering non-invasive arterial catheter-based treatment for retinal tumors, making it an excellent destination for patients seeking the best medical care available. If your child is experiencing symptoms indicative of a retinal tumor or has already been diagnosed with this disease, it is advisable to contact Al Hayat Center for appropriate treatment.