Also called: NF
NF refers to a group of genetic conditions that cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. NF includes neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and all types of schwannomatosis (SWN), including NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2), formerly known as neurofibromatosis type 2.
Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder of the nervous system. It mainly affects how nerve cells form and grow. It causes tumors to grow on nerves. You can get neurofibromatosis from your parents, or it can happen because of a mutation (change) in your genes. Once you have it, you can pass it along to your children. Usually the tumors are benign, but sometimes they can become cancerous.
There are three types of neurofibromatosis:
- NF1
- NF2-related schwannomatosis.
- SMARCB1-related schwannomatosis
- LZTR1-related schwannomatosis
- 22q-related schwannomatosis
- schwannomatosis-NOS
Genetic testing can he helpful in some cases to diagnose the different types of neurofibromatosis. There is no cure. Treatment can help control symptoms. Depending on the type of disease and how serious it is, treatment may include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, and medicines.