What is Neurofibromatosis (NF)?

NF is a term used to represent three distinct genetic disorders that cause tumors of the nervous system.
They are commonly referred to as NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. NF affects individuals equally across genders, ethnicities, and races.
 

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) Causes nerve tissue tumors anywhere in the body that have the potential to become cancerous. NF1 can also curve the bones and cause learning disabilities among many other potential health effects. The disorder is highly variable because it involves mutations and/or deletions on the longest gene in human DNA. NF1 affects 1 in 3,000 people.

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) Causes brain tumors, spinal tumors, and deafness. It is caused by a different gene than NF1 and results in different types of nerve tumors. NF2 is typically more severe than NF1 and has more significant impacts on quality of life. NF2 affects 1 in 25,000 people.

Schwannomatosis Causes nerve tumors that are highly painful and more difficult to manage than tumors caused by NF1 or NF2. Schwannomatosis affects 1 in 40,000 people.