Also called: NF
Neurofibromatosis is a disorder of the nervous system affecting the development of nerve cell tissues. The disorder is typically diagnosed in children. It can cause skin disorders and tumors on nerve tissues in the brain and spinal cord. Most tumors are not cancerous but require long-term surveillance since they could become cancerous over time. There is no cure for the disorder but there are treatments that can manage symptoms and improve quality of life. It is critical for any patient who is diagnosed with the disorder to be followed by a team of specialists including a neurologist, neuro-oncologist, geneticist and in some cases consulting with a surgeon or radiation oncologist.