These disorders cause tumors to grow on nerves and produce other abnormalities such as skin changes and bone deformities.
Neurofibromatosis can occur in both sexes and in all races and ethnic groups.
It is normally present from birth in a child due to inheritance from the affected parent. The tumors grow from the nerve tissues and develop along the nerve pathways. In severe cases disfiguring may take place, which can be very distressing for the affected child and the family concerned. This is the more common of the two types. Once this change has taken place, the mutant gene can be passed on to succeeding generations.