NF2 is
Neurofibromatosis, Type II. It is a genetic disorder that causes benign
(non-cancerous) tumors in the brain and/or throughout the central
nervous system, often accompanied by peripheral
tumors. These tumors are called either neurofibromas or
schwannomas. They grow on nerves and put pressure on the nerves
that eventually causes damage to the nerves. Symptoms vary
depending on which nerves are involved and the size of the tumors.
NF2 is caused by a defect in a gene on chromosome 22. The affected
gene has been identified, but at this time there is no cure for
NF2. Surgical removal of the tumors is the main treatment at this
time, but attempting to treat the tumors with several types of radiation
surgery is becoming more common.
A good
sources for additional NF2 background are NF,
Inc. and National
Neurofibromatosis Foundation (NNFF). There are several other
good NF2 related resources on our Links page.
