New developments into early detection of retinoblastoma through detection of leukocoria may be around the corner thanks to Bryan Shaw.
Retinoblastoma detection through leukocoria diagnosis
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Bryan Shaw may have found a way to diagnose retinoblastoma, a pediatric cancer, using baby pictures. He discovered the pediatric cancer in his own son using, “amateur digital photography,” states Baylor University. He noticed a condition called leukocoria in a photo of his son that he had taken, and decided to look through previous pictures of him. He discovered that the leukocoria, or white eye, was present in all of the photos taken of his son.
Bryan Shaw is an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Baylor University. His findings may bring about research into new technology and diagnostic tools that will enable early detection of retinoblastoma, potentially diagnosing this pediatric cancer even earlier.
Bryan Shaw has been able to define leukocoria, or white eye, to enable greater chances of diagnosing retinoblastoma. Through defining leukocoria, the chances of detecting an actual case are much greater.
Retinoblastoma is a form of cancer that is limited to children. Adults do not get retinoblastoma due to how it develops. It is a form of cancer that develops in the immature cells of the retina causing a tumor of the eye. There have been approximately 18,000 to 30,000 cases of retinoblastoma known worldwide, with most of the cases being diagnosed before age three. Retinoblastoma can lead to the loss of eyes.
The two types of retinoblastoma are heritable, and non-heritable. As the name implies, these types refer to whether the disease is inherited or not. In two thirds of the cases, only one eye is affected.
Hear Bryan Shaw’s story as he speaks of the incidents that led to his research into leukocoria and retinoblastoma.
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