Neurofibromatosis (NF)

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disease that causes tumors to develop in the nervous system. There are three types, and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), formerly known as von Recklinghausen NF or Peripheral NF, is the most common.

People affected by NF1 have an increased risk of developing many different types of tumors, both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous). Almost all people with NF1 have neurofibromas, which are benign tumors that appear along the nerves of the skin, brain, and other parts of the body.

There is currently no way to prevent or stop the growth of the tumors associated with NF1.