TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Treatment for retinoblastoma may cause side effects.
Source: Retinoblastoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: October 7, 2021 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Context: Treatment Option Overview
To learn more about side effects that begin during treatment for cancer, visit Side Effects.
Source links and citations
Side effects from cancer treatment that begin after treatment and continue for months or years are called late effects. Late effects of treatment for retinoblastoma may include the following:
Source links and citations
Physical problems such as seeing or hearing problems.
If the eye is removed, there may be changes in the shape and size of the bone around the eye until an artificial eye is fitted. This is most likely to occur in children aged younger than 3 years.
Changes in mood, feelings, thinking, learning, or memory.
Second cancers (new types of cancer), such as lung and bladder cancers, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, or melanoma.
Source links and citations
The following risk factors may increase the risk of having a second cancer:
Source links and citations
Having the heritable form of retinoblastoma.
Source links and citations
Past treatment with radiation therapy, especially before age 1 year.
Having already had a previous second cancer.
It is important to talk with your child's doctors about the effects cancer treatment can have on your child. Regular follow-up by health professionals who are experts in diagnosing and treating late effects is important. See the PDQ summary on Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer for more information.
Source links and citations
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice