Neurofibromatosis

Introduction: Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis: The neurofibromatoses are genetic disorders of the nervous system that primarily affect the development and growth of neural (nerve) cell ... more about Neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis: Nerve disorders often leading to tumors on nerves. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Neurofibromatosis is available below.

Symptoms of Neurofibromatosis

• See symptoms of neurofibromatosis-1
• See symptoms of neurofibromatosis-2

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Neurofibromatosis:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests

Medical Textbooks Online about Neurofibromatosis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Wrongly Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis?

• Misdiagnosis of Neurofibromatosis
• Underlying causes of Neurofibromatosis (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Misdiagnosis and Neurofibromatosis

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Neurofibromatosis

Causes of Neurofibromatosis

Read more about causes of Neurofibromatosis.

More information about causes of Neurofibromatosis:

• Neurofibromatosis as a symptom

Treatments for Neurofibromatosis

• Surgical tumor removal
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy

Read more about treatments for Neurofibromatosis

Videos for Neurofibromatosis

Patient Surveys for Neurofibromatosis

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Prognosis for Neurofibromatosis

Prognosis for Neurofibromatosis: In most cases, symptoms of NF1 are mild, and patients live normal and productive lives. In some cases, however, NF1 can be severely debilitating. In some cases of NF2, the damage to nearby vital structures, such as other cranial nerves and the brainstem, can be life-threatening. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Neurofibromatosis Information Page: NINDS)

More about prognosis of Neurofibromatosis

Reseach about Neurofibromatosis

Visit our research pages for current research about Neurofibromatosis treatments.

Statistics for Neurofibromatosis

• Medical statistics for Neurofibromatosis
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Neurofibromatosis
• Death and Mortality statistics for Neurofibromatosis
• Society statistics for Neurofibromatosis

Types of Neurofibromatosis

• Neurofibromatosis type 1 - more common subtype; about 90% of cases.
• Neurofibromatosis type 2

Read more about Types of Neurofibromatosis

Stories from Users Related to Neurofibromatosis

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Article Excerpts about Neurofibromatosis

The neurofibromatoses are genetic disorders of the nervous system that primarily affect the development and growth of neural (nerve) cell tissues. These disorders cause tumors to grow on nerves and produce other abnormalities such as skin changes and bone deformities. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Neurofibromatosis Information Page: NINDS)

Definitions of Neurofibromatosis:

Type 1 (peripheral) neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease), is the most common type of neurofibromatosis. It is characterized clinically by cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors with patches of hyperpigmentation. The hyperpigmented skin areas, are present from birth and found anywhere on the body surface. They can vary markedly in size and color. The dark brown areas are called cafe-au-lait spots. The multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors are nerve sheath neoplasms, called neurofibromas. They can develop anywhere along the peripheral nerve fibers. Neurofibromas can become quite large, causing a major disfigurement, eroding bone, and compressing various peripheral nerve structures. Type 1 neurofibromatosis has dominant inheritance, with a gene locus on the proximal long arm of chromosome 17. -- 2003 - (Source - Diseases Database)

Autosomal dominant disease characterized by numerous neurofibromas and by spots on the skin and often by developmental abnormalities - (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Neurofibromatosis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Neurofibromatosis, or a subtype of Neurofibromatosis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Neurofibromatosis as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet