NEUROFIBROMA

'Neurofibroma' is a type of nerve sheath tumor. In contrast to schwannomas - another type of tumor arising from the Schwann cells - neurofibromas incorporate all sorts of cells and structural elements in addition to the Schwann cells.

Contents

Presentation

Treatment

Incidence/prevalence

Genetics

Treatment

External links

Presentation

Neurofibromas infiltrate the nerve and splay apart the individual nerve fibers. Although usually benign, Neurofibromas can sometimes degenerate into cancer.
Single neurofibromas often occur in middle and old age and grow at the margins of the peripheral nerves, displacing the nerve's main body.
The vestibulocochlear (acoustic) nerve is the most commonly affected, (see acoustic neuroma).
Other cranial nerves and spinal nerves are less commonly involved.

Treatment

Surgical resection is usually curative, though there is a risk of functional damage due to interference with the nerve.

Incidence/prevalence

The cases of occurrence of "neurofibromas" are however marginally rare affecting one in a thousand.

Genetics

Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant disorder.

Treatment

debulking, gamma knife radiosurgery.
not easily removable if the tumor surrounds important nerves i.e. optic nerve.

External links

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