Guide To Effectively Treating Neurofibromatosis

Surgical Tumor Removal

In some cases, surgical tumor removal is recommended for individuals with neurofibromatosis. It's common for patients with NF1 to develop skin tumors called dermal neurofibromas, which may need surgical treatment if they're irritating or painful. Neurofibromas are not malignant tumors, but plexiform neurofibromas can penetrate more deeply and affect a patient's nervous system. The presence of these tumors comes with a five to ten percent chance of developing malignant tumors. With NF2, tumors develop on the hearing nerves. It's very possible hearing loss will develop. For this reason, many professionals will recommend surgical tumor removal or other surgical options. Not all patients will benefit from surgery. Surgery is generally recommended only when a patient is experiencing discomfort, or the tumor is cancerous.

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Cancer Treatment

The overall risk of developing cancer tends to be low when it comes to neurofibromatosis. In patients with NF1, less than seven percent of patients developed cancer as a result of their illness. However, there are some risks. Cancer usually develops when a benign neurofibroma develops into a sarcoma, which is cancerous and fast-growing. It will invade nearby body structures and may spread to multiple areas in the body. If a patient does develop malignant tumors, it's important for them to get cancer treatment. There are multiple different treatments available, and the best one will vary depending on the symptoms, though they typically include options such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Doctors will approach one cancerous tumor differently from cancer that's metastasized through the body. Doctors recommended having yearly screenings and examinations to make sure no cancerous tumors have developed.

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