Heritable Retinoblastoma

Common Myths & Misconceptions

1. If my genetic test result is positive, it means that I have or will have retinoblastoma, or my retinoblastoma will recur.

   FALSE. The genetic test result cannot determine the likelihood of cancer recurrence or the presence of cancer. A positive result only indicates an increased risk of getting cancer or a new cancer developing.
   
   

2. If my child tests positive, it means that my grandchildren will also have retinoblastoma.

   FALSE. If your child has a positive genetic test result where a faulty RB1 gene is identified, it means each of his/her future children has a 50% (1 in 2) chance of inheriting the faulty RB1 gene.
   
   

3. My child looks a lot like me, so he/she must have inherited the faulty gene(s) since I have it.

   FALSE. Genes that govern your appearance are different from the genes that determine the risk of retinoblastoma like RB1.
   
   

4. My child has heritable retinoblastoma and I have two other children, so one will inherit the faulty gene(s) and one will not, because there is a 50% chance.

   FALSE.It is recommended for parents of a child with heritable retinoblastoma to undergo predictive testing to determine if he/she has a faulty RB1 gene as well.

   If a parent does carry a faulty RB1 gene, all his/her children have a 50% (1 in 2) chance of inheriting the faulty gene. The genetic test result of one child does not impact the chances of the other child having heritable retinoblastoma.

Download the Heritable Retinoblastoma brochure.