Can you live a normal life 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.

Can people with NF1 live a normal life?

Most people with NF1 have no or few medical problems and live normal lives, with no need for treatment. However, because every person with NF1 is at risk of complications from this disorder, it is important that they are regularly reviewed by a doctor who is familiar with the condition.

Can NF1 stay mild?

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition. It causes benign (not cancerous) tumors to grow in and under the skin, often with bone, hormone, and other problems. Most kids with NF1 have mild symptoms that don't limit what they can do.

How serious is NF1?

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.

How long do people with NF1 live for?

Mean and median ages at death for persons with NF1 were 54.4 and 59 years, respectively, compared with 70.1 and 74 years in the general population.

Neurofibromatosis (NF1) Q

Does neurofibromatosis worsen with age?

Neurofibromas may increase in number with age. Bone deformities. Abnormal bone development and a deficiency in bone mineral density can cause bone deformities such as a curved spine (scoliosis) or a bowed lower leg. Tumor on the optic nerve (optic glioma).

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.

Does NF1 always 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.

Is there a cure coming soon for neurofibromatosis?

Neurofibromatosis can be treated and managed, but there is no cure. MSK recently launched a neurofibromatosis center to improve the treatment of this disease. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that often leads to tumors throughout the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Does neurofibromatosis go away?

It is impossible to predict the course of NF1 in anyone with the disorder. Manifestations of neurofibromatosis generally do not disappear once they develop, although cafe-au-lait spots sometimes fade in later life. Neurofibromas can appear at any time, as can symptoms of nerve compression.

How do you get rid of NF1 bumps?

There is no known treatment or cure for neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis. Medication can be prescribed to help with pain. In some cases, growths may be removed surgically or reduced with radiation therapy.

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).

Can NF1 tumors be removed?

If cancerous tumors develop with neurofibromatosis—for example, malignant plexiform neurofibromas, which can develop in the arms, legs, or trunk—they can also be surgically removed. For cancerous tumors, surgery may be combined with other treatments for cancer.

What is life like for a person 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 café-au-lait spots be normal?

Café au lait spots are harmless and normal, with some people having anywhere from one to three spots. But sometimes, these spots can indicate an underlying genetic problem.

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

The other half of people with NF1 inherited it from one of their parents. This means that a parent with a mutation in the NF1 gene passed the mutated gene to the child. In some cases, the signs or symptoms of NF1 are so mild that a parent may not find out they have NF1 until their child is diagnosed.

Does diet affect neurofibromatosis?

Excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids and lipids was also observed in both male and female patients. Conclusions: In this study, NF1 patients consumed an unhealthy diet that was rich in fats and sodium and lacking in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

How many people in the world have NF?

The Neurofibromatoses are genetically-determined disorders which affect more than 2 million people worldwide; this makes NF more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington's Disease combined.

Is there gene therapy for neurofibromatosis?

Neurofibromatosis 2

It is caused by a mutation on the NF2 gene, which produces a protein known as merlin/schwannomin that helps suppress the development of certain tumors. Dr. Meyer says there are several different approaches one can take to treat this condition with a gene therapy.

How do you shrink neurofibroma?

An investigational drug called selumetinib can shrink tumors in children and young adults with a genetic syndrome called neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and may improve symptoms such as pain and reduced mobility that result from tumors called plexiform neurofibromas, which develop in many people with NF1, according to ...

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.

Does NF1 cause ADHD?

Attention deficits have been linked to the NF1 phenotype and show an incidence of 40–50% in NF1 patients (6). The presence of ADHD in children with NF1 is associated with poorer performance in cognitive function, learning, social skills, and academic achievement.

Is NF1 a neurological disorder?

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic neurological disorder that can affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves and skin. Tumors, or neurofibromas, grow along the body's nerves or on or underneath the skin. Scientists have classified NF into two distinct types: neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and NF2.

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).

Does NF1 affect puberty?

Delayed or Early Puberty: Most people with NF1 will start puberty at the expected age range, but some may have precocious (early) or delayed puberty. Small Stature: Affects about 30% of people with NF1 and may be treated with growth hormone.