Can a person have both NF1 and NF2?

It's extremely rare that someone would have both NF1 and NF2. Here are some notable clinical differences between NF1 and NF2: NF2 is more rare than NF1, which affects 1 in every 3,500 births.

Can NF1 turn into NF2?

They're very different conditions. NF1 can never become NF2 or the other way around, and a person can have only one type of neurofibromatosis. A third type of NF, schwannomatosis, is very rare. Most people with this type don't have symptoms until they're adults.

Can you have more than one type of neurofibromatosis?

The disorders are known as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). NF1 is the more common type of neurofibromatosis. Schwannomatosis has recently been identified as a third and more rare type of neurofibromatosis, but doctors don't know much about it yet.

Is NF1 or NF2 more common?

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic condition that causes tumours to grow along your nerves. The tumours are usually non-cancerous (benign) but may cause a range of symptoms. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is covered separately because it has different symptoms and causes. It's also much more common than NF2.

What's the difference between neurofibromatosis 1 and 2?

The NF1 gene makes a protein called neurofibromin, which regulates cell division in the nervous system and functions as a kind of molecular brake to keep cells from growing out of control. The gene for NF2 is located on chromosome 22. The NF2 gene product is a tumor-suppressor protein (called merlin or schwannomin).

NF1 versus NF2

Does NF2 have café-au-lait spots?

People with NF2 generally have fewer brown spots (café-au-lait) on the skin than those who have NF1. Affected individuals may also experience spasms of the facial muscles; generalized muscle weakness, numbness, pain, and/or partial paralysis; difficulty swallowing; and/or impaired speech.

Does everyone with NF2 go deaf?

An estimated one in 25,000 people is born with NF2, a hereditary tumor syndrome in which virtually everyone progresses to deafness because of vestibular schwannomas — tumors growing on the nerves responsible for hearing.

Does NF1 get worse with age?

Typically, adults with NF1 will develop more neurofibromas over time. They may grow for a period of time and then stop growing. In addition, they may change in shape or color as they grow. Sometimes, they can also be associated with itching or slight discomfort when bumped.

Can you have NF1 without neurofibromas?

Most people with NF1 will develop regular neurofibromas, but only a third of all people with NF1 will have a plexiform neurofibroma. You may want to ask your doctor if any of your tumors are a plexiform, so you know the difference.

What is the life expectancy of someone with NF2?

Tumours that develop inside the brain and spinal cord can place a strain on the body and shorten life expectancy. The average life expectancy for someone with NF2 is 65 years of age. Read more about treating neurofibromatosis type 2.

Can you be a carrier of NF1 and not have it?

NF does not skip generations which means you cannot be a carrier if you do not have it, even if one or more parents have NF. NF1 and NF2 are therefore said to have “complete penetrance”.

Can neurofibroma turn malignant?

A neurofibroma is usually noncancerous (benign). Rarely, it can become cancerous (malignant).

Can NF2 skip a generation?

Highlights. Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), is a rare genetic condition, that does not skip generations. NF2 is a genetic, autosomal dominant condition. All individuals born with NF2 will develop tumors.

Can you have café-au-lait spots and not have NF1?

Can you have café-au-lait spots without having neurofibromatosis? Yes. It is very common for people to have a few café-au-lait spots on their bodies without having an underlying condition like neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Does NF1 qualify for disability?

Although neurofibromatosis is a serious condition, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not specifically list the disorder as a disability. But, the symptoms that accompany the condition can be reviewed for benefits.

What is the life expectancy of someone with NF1?

If there are no complications, the life expectancy of people with NF is almost normal. With the right education, people with NF can live a normal life. Although mental impairment is generally mild, NF1 is a known cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Learning disabilities are a common problem.

Can NF1 cause leg pain?

Troublesome symptoms of NF1: When to call the doctor

numbness, tingling or weakness in an arm or leg. changes in neurofibromas, such as persistent and continuous pain, rapid increases in size or hardening.

Can NF1 be mild?

The symptoms of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are often mild and cause no serious health problems. But some people will have severe symptoms. The symptoms of NF1 can affect many different areas of the body, but it's unlikely someone will develop all of them.

Is NF1 an autoimmune disease?

Discussion. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a relatively common autosomal dominant disorder. It is well known that NF1 patients have an increased risk of developing a variety of benign and malignant tumors, but its association with autoimmune diseases has been rarely reported (1-3).

Can you donate blood if you have neurofibromatosis?

Must not donate if:

Neurofibromatosis is an inherited condition that causes tumours (swellings) on nerve tissue. These tumours are usually not cancerous but occasionally may become malignant. If they are in the brain they may cause epilepsy.

Is NF1 life threatening?

In most cases, symptoms of NF1 are relatively mild, allowing patients to live normal and productive lives. However, the disorder can also be debilitating and, in some cases, life-threatening. NF1 can lead to problems within various systems, organs and functions of the body including: Skin, bone and eye abnormalities.

Can NF1 skip a generation?

Only one parent need be affected to cause a child to have NF1 (autosomal dominant inheritance). NF1 does not skip generations. Sporadic or random pathogenic variants in the gene responsible for NF1 account for the remaining 50% of cases and occur when a child has NF1 but neither parent does.

How serious is NF2?

People with NF2 often have a shorter life span than the general population. The disease can also lead to significant disabilities. Acoustic nerve tumors can be hard to treat and the majority of patients eventually become completely deaf.

When do NF2 symptoms start?

NF2 Symptoms

Although the abnormal changes in the NF2 gene may be present since birth, the symptoms of NF2 are most common in people in their late teens and early 20s. People with a mild form of NF2 might not notice any symptoms until age 40 or later.

Does NF2 cause blindness?

The NF2 condition is rare; the rare condition includes tumors and rare eye problems. The eye problems are uncommon enough that twenty-percent (20%) of vision loss of individuals with NF2 with a diagnosis of ocular abnormalities.