Understanding Neurofibromatosis
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors can develop anywhere in the nervous system.
What is Neurofibromatosis?
Neurofibromatosis is a group of three conditions: NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. NF1 is the most common, affecting about 1 in 3,000 people worldwide. It's caused by mutations in the NF1 gene and is characterized by café-au-lait spots, freckling, and neurofibromas.
NF2 is less common (1 in 25,000) and involves tumors on the auditory nerves that can lead to hearing loss. Schwannomatosis is the rarest form and causes painful schwannomas on cranial, spinal, and peripheral nerves.
1 in 3,000
People affected by NF1 worldwide
50%
Cases are inherited from a parent
3 Types
NF1, NF2, and Schwannomatosis
