TYPES OF NEUROFIBROMAS

INTRODUCTION

NEUROFIBROMA

Neurofibroma is benign tumor of peripheral nerve sheath. It arises from the proliferation

of nerve sheath cells. Neurofibroma is made of nerve fibers, Schwann cells (cells that

cover the nerve fibers), blood vessels, inflammatory white blood cells ( mast cells),

fibroblasts ( connective tissue)1. It forms short bumps on or under the skin.

Neurofibroma affecting men and women both.

The Symptoms of neurofibroma depends upon the size and location of the tumor. They

are following;

 Neurofibroma type 1(NF-1) produce Skin discoloration

 Neurofibroma type-2(NF-2) may involve nerve hearing

 Hearing loss or ringing in ears

 Soft and pea-size bump on or under the skin

 Sudden swelling due to trauma or injury of blood vessels associated with

neurofibroma.

Treatment of neurofibroma:

Neuroblastoma can be treated with surgery or monitoring.

Surgical procedure: it is the most common form of treatment of neuroblastoma. The

tumor of neuroblastoma is removed by the surgery but In this procedure, some tumors

are not fully removed then radiation therapy is used to relieve the pressure on the spinal
cord3. An alternative surgical technique such as stereotactic spine surgery also used to

destroy the tumor. In this technique, a highly focused beam of radiation is used to

completely destroy the tumor. The advantage of this surgery is the following:

 Minimal healthy tissue damage around the tumor

 Lower risk of side effects

 Precise surgical technique

Monitoring: the neurosurgeons observed the growing tumor by the monitoring. It helps

the potential benefits of removing the tumor as well as the risks,

TYPES OF NEUROFIBROMA

Diffuse neurofibromas : Diffuse neurofibroma is a uncommon form of neurofibroma.

The tumor occur in the trunk,head and neck region 2. Diffuse neurofibroma most occur in

children and young adults.

Plexiform neurofibromas ; plexiform neurofibromas is a uncommon complication of

neurofibromas which is made up of same cells of as dermal or cutaneous

neurofibromas. It occur any where part of body such as head ,neck, around the spine

areas and deep nerve in the body. This tumor grow slowly and produce pain. Serious

brain dysfunction and impingement on other organs are cause of this tumor.

Cutaneous neurofibromas; cutaneous neurofibromas is also called as dermal or

discrete neurofibromas. This tumor originate from the small nerves in the skin and

formed bumps or lumps on the skin4. Cutaneous neurofibrosis is not totally removed by

the surgery. Co2 laser technique are used to remove this type of neurofibromas tumor.
References :

1.http://www.nfmidwest.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Neurofibromas.pdf

2. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/88f3/2702d50329e00639a4ae2aaa5c082fbb5d2d.pdf

3.https://www.upmc.com/services/neurosurgery/spine/conditions/tumorslesions/

neurofibroma#treatment

4. https://nfcenter.wustl.edu/what-is-nf/neurofibromatosis-type-1/nerve-tumors/