Tennessee Famliy Treated for Retinoblastoma at Wills Eye

Vivian Kneller and her brother, Thomas, who have a rare form of eye cancer, received specialized treatments developed by Wills Eye Hospital and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Retinoblastoma used to be treated by eye removal or external beam radiation, which can cause other forms of cancer. But in 1994, Wills and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia became one of four centers in the world to help develop and use a specific form of chemotherapy to treat the disease.

"Over the past 30 years, we have made enormous headway in the management of retinoblastoma," said Dr. Carol Shields, director of ocular oncology at Wills Eye Hospital, where both Vivian and Thomas have been receiving treatment. "Fifty percent of eyes used to be removed. Now it's down to 5% of eyes."

Real the full story at Philly Voice.