Retinoblastoma is a rare disease. Only about 300 children are diagnosed with retinoblastoma each year in the United States. It is more common in infants and very young children than in older children. The average age of children when they are diagnosed is 2. It rarely occurs in children older than 6.

About 2 out of 3 children with retinoblastoma have a tumor in only one eye. In about 1 case in 3, both eyes are affected.

Retinoblastoma occurs about equally in boys and girls and in different races and ethnicities. It also occurs equally in the right or left eye.

Overall, more than 90% of children with retinoblastoma can be cured, although this outlook is not nearly as good if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Last Medical Review: 10/26/2009
Last Revised: 10/26/2009