Retinoblastoma is a type of eye cancer usually occurring in children under five. It generally starts developing in the retinal cells at the light detecting tissue. The most common symptom of retinoblastoma is leukocoria. This is seen when the pupil grows in white color rather than black color.
Retinoblastoma in children can cause sight problems and eyes may appear crossed. Other retinoblastoma symptoms usually experienced include red, irritated, and painful eyes, tissue inflammation around the eye, enlarged pupils, and different colored eyes.
Physical exercise, stress management techniques, acupuncture, acupressure, massage therapy, and mind-body exercises are helpful in the treatment of retinoblastoma.
A high fiber and low fat diet is ideal for patients with retinoblastoma. The diet should supply all the needed supplements, minerals, and vitamins to patients. The required supplements for retinoblastoma patients include omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, beta-carotene, lycopene, genistein, folate, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, bromelain, selenium, zinc, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B complex, calcium, and magnesium. Some herbs are also effective in the treatment of retinoblastoma including Ginkgo biloba, Astragalus, and Echinacea. In addition to dietary components, patients should reduce their alcohol and sugar intake.
The diet for retinoblastoma should include beets, beans, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, buckwheat, bulgur, cantaloupe, black tea, and green tea.
The Asian diet is helpful for retinoblastoma treatment and includes acerola berry, cabbage, apricots, tomatoes, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, hot chile peppers, decaffeinated coffee, corn, currants, ground flaxseed, garlic, grapefruit, grape juice, and green leafy vegetables.
The Mediterranean diet is also helpful in the treatment of retinoblastoma. It may include watermelon, honeydew, Crenshaw, low-fat milk or fat-free milk, mushrooms, nuts, oats, okra, olive oil, onions, oranges, parsnips, peas, potatoes, prunes, pumpkin, raisins, rhubarb, brown rice, kelp, sea vegetables, sweet potatoes, Salba seeds and salba seed oil, tangerines, yucca, yogurt, watercress, and cat's claw.
A diet for retinoblastoma patients should include whole foods, beans, grains, vegetables, and fruits. Fish like salmon, tuna, halibut, and mackerel, which are good sources of fatty acids should be included in the diet. Natural supplements and diet modification will also help patients to better face surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
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