2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
4 Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
Part I: Ophthalmic Pathology
Chapter 11: Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Neoplasia
Retinocytoma
Retinocytoma is a rare, highly differentiated retinoblastic tumor. The pathogenesis of this variant is the subject of debate. Some authors contend that the tumor is a fully differentiated form of retinoblastoma, whereas others argue that it is the benign counterpart of retinoblastoma. Retinocytoma is characterized histologically by numerous fleurettes admixed with individual cells that demonstrate varying degrees of photoreceptor differentiation (Fig 11-48). Retinocytoma differs from retinoblastoma in the following ways:
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retinocytoma cells have more cytoplasm and more evenly dispersed nuclear chromatin
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mitoses are not observed in retinocytomas
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although calcification may be identified in retinocytomas, necrosis is usually absent
Retinocytoma should be distinguished from the spontaneous regression of retinoblastoma that is the end result of coagulative necrosis. See the discussion in Chapter 19.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 4 - Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.