Can neurofibromatosis cause pain?
Neurofibromas appear as one or more lumps on or under the skin. They may be painful or itch, but many do not cause any symptoms. Neurofibromas growing deep in the body can cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness if they press on nerves.
Does neurofibromatosis cause cataract?
Some individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) may develop a special type of cataract, known as a juvenile posterior sublenticular opacity, or experience other problems with the eyes.
Can neurofibromatosis cause headaches?
Up to half of people with NF1 may experience recurrent headaches that are severe enough to interfere with their daily lives. These headaches can begin during childhood, and are typically described as migraines or tension headaches.
What does neurofibroma feel like?
Plexiforms are neurofibromas that spread around large nerves as they grow, causing the nerve to become thick and misshapen. They feel like knots or cords under the skin. They can be large, painful, and disfiguring.
How does neurofibromatosis affect the eyes?
Eye findings: The eyelids may become thicker and irregularly shaped because of the growth of a neurofibroma [See figure 2]. Children with this eyelid problem are at risk for developing high eye pressure (glaucoma) or lazy eye (amblyopia). Pigmented spots on the iris may increase in number over time.
How do you shrink neurofibroma?
Chemotherapy medications work by destroying cells that divide at an abnormally rapid rate; this, in turn, can help shrink neurofibromas and alleviate a patient’s symptoms. Chemotherapy drugs that may be prescribed for neurofibromatosis include: Vinblastine. Methotrexate.
Can neurofibromatosis cause eye problems?
Can neurofibromatosis cause blindness?
Half of patients with optic nerve gliomas are NF1 patients; NF1-associated OPGs are typically less aggressive than non-associated NF1 OPGs. Many patients with OPGs are asymptomatic; however, OPGs may cause unilateral, bilateral or color vision loss; optic nerve pallor or atrophy; proptosis; nystagmus; or strabismus.
Can neurofibromatosis cause back pain?
The effects of neurofibromatosis on bone and spine This condition may result in pain in the back and limbs, bladder control problems, and numbness in severe cases. Neurofibromatosis may cause tumors on an around the spinal cord. Even benign tumors in this area can cause pain and weakness in the most severe cases.
Is there a cure for neurofibromatosis?
There is no cure for neurofibromatosis. The effects of neurofibromatosis are unpredictable and have varying manifestations and degrees of severity. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and may include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, and/or medicines.
What causes neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)?
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is caused by genetic changes ( DNA variants) in the NF1 gene. [1] Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. All individuals inherit two copies of each gene.
What does neurofibromatosis mean?
Medical Definition of neurofibromatosis. 1 also neurofibromatosis type 1 or neurofibromatosis 1. : an inherited developmental disorder characterized especially by brown spots on the skin that are typically present at birth, neurofibromas of peripheral nerves, and deformities of subcutaneous tissues and bone. —abbreviation NF, NF-1.
What are other names for neurofibromatosis?
Medications for Neurofibromatosis. Other names: Bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis; Central bilateral acoustic NF; Neurofibromatosis 2; Neurofibromatosis-1; NF; NF1; NF2; Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis. About Neurofibromatosis: Neurofibromatosis is a genetically-inherited disorder in which the nerve tissue grows tumors.