[History of retinoblastoma]

The author presents a brief account on the development of knowledge regarding the clinical picture, diagnosis, dynamics of the disease, surgical and conservative therapy of the most serious intraocular malignity of child age. He emphasizes the contribution made by different authors, starting in 1597 when Pawius published the first account of an autopsy of a child affected with the tumour. He emphasizes the biological importance, the affection of the optic nerve by the tumour, the vital importance of early enucleation, the importance of distant resection of the optic nerve during removal of the eye and the importance and contribution of conservative treatment for the vital perspective of affected children.