Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis refers to a group of three distinct genetic conditions in which tumors grow in the nervous system. Most tumors are benign, but some are cancerous, and they often involve the skin or surrounding bone; symptoms are often mild, and each condition presents differently. Neurofibromatosis type I is typically characterized by cafe au lait spots, neurofibromas, scoliosis, and headaches; neurofibromatosis type II may present with early-onset hearing loss, cataracts, tinnitus, difficulty walking or maintaining balance, and muscle atrophy; and the third type, schwannomatosis, often presents in early adulthood with widespread pain, numbness, or tingling due to nerve compression.