Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma in pediatric patients: a literature review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the diagnostic methods of RB in children, relating them to age and gender. Evaluating, thus, the existence of a recommended diagnostic pattern. Methods: The methodological approach of this work proposes a compilation of bibliographic research with a qualitative approach and descriptive character through an integrative literature review in the National Library of Medicine, Virtual Health Library and Directory of Open Access Journals databases. The descriptors used were “Retinoblastoma” and “Cancer Early Diagnosis”. Inclusion criteria were newspaper article articles, randomized controlled trial, clinical study, clinical trial clinical trials, randomized or non-randomized, case-control studies, cohort study, open access, published in English, Portuguese, Spanish and within the 2017 to 2022. Results: RB is a cancer that arises from the immature retina. Diagnosis can be based on ophthalmoscopic examination, USG, CT and MRI. Final Considerations: In fact, according to the present study, the main diagnostic method is CT, being the most reliable and quickest in the diagnosis. In addition, female sex is the most prevalent diagnosis and age at diagnosis can occur between three weeks and 25 years.