People with Nf2 do not usually get any outwards signs and they do not get bone problems or learning difficulties. They do, however, develop beningn tumours associated with nerves inside the body. The common problem area are the nerves running down the spine which control the muscles of the legs and arms. Unless there is a family history of Nf2, diagnosis is often very difficult. With no outward signs, in most instances substantial hearing loss has occurred before Nf2 is suspected.
Surgery is often the only treatment and facial paralysis is, in many cases, unavoidable.
Nf2 is always serious. If you or your family have had Nf2 diagnosed and would like more details about particular aspects of it, please let us know. The genes which cause Nf1 and Nf2 have now been pinpointed and cloned. Much is known about their function and although there is still a lot of work to be done, there is now a realistic hope for an effective treatment within the next 5 to 10 years. So, even for people whose Nf does cause problems, the outlook is increasingly positive.