Update on Retinoblastoma Predisposition and Surveillance Recommendations for Children

Hereditary retinoblastoma is a classic cancer predisposition syndrome with risks beginning in early infancy. About 45% of children with retinoblastoma (RB) have hereditary disease. These children are at risk for both intraocular disease and additional neoplasms throughout their lifetime. Germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in RB1 typically lead to bilateral intraocular disease, elevated risks of trilateral RB, and risks of non-ocular subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMN), especially sarcomas and melanomas. There is further increased risk of SMNs if radiation treatment is used. In this report, with a reconvening of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Childhood Cancer Predisposition Workshop, we expand on strategies for identifying individuals with hereditary RB, with a focus on testing strategies for children with RB. We also provide updates from previous recommendations. Given the high penetrance of retinal tumors, we review the importance of close intraocular surveillance and consider recent data on surveillance for SMNs. Finally, we discuss the importance of counseling for survivors of intraocular disease to address risks of adult-onset tumors as well as to consider reproductive risks.