Treatments of both generally involve taking care of the symptoms. Neurofibromatosis Definition Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder of the nervous system. It causes tumors to grow on nerves and produces other abnormalities such as skin changes and bone deformities. It occurs in 1 in every 3,000 to 4,000 births. Symptoms may appear as early as birth, but usually by age 10.
Most symptoms are mild and people can lead normal and productive lives.
However, some symptoms can be severely debilitating. About 50 percent of the people affected with NF have a prior family history. Neurofibromatosis has been divided into two types, NF1 and NF2. The symptoms can vary greatly, depending on the individual, family history and severity of the disease. The symptoms of NF2 include bilateral tumors on the eighth cranial nerve that can cause progressive hearing loss and can cause damage to nearby nerves that could become life threatening.