BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuNeurofibromatosis 2NF2; Bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis; Bilateral vestibular schwannomas; Central neurofibromatosisNeurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a disorder in which tumors form on the nerves of the brain and spine (the central nervous system). It may be passed down (inherited) in families.Although it has a similar name to neurofibromatosis type 1, it is a different and separate condition.Neurofibromatosis type 1Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) is an inherited disorder in which nerve tissue tumors (neurofibromas) form in the:Upper and lower layers of the skinNerves ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes NF2 is caused by a change in the gene NF2. NF2 can be passed down through families in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means that if one parent has NF2, any child of that parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. Once someone carries the genetic change, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting it.Autosomal dominantAutosomal dominant is one of many ways that a trait or disorder can be passed down through families. In an autosomal dominant disease, if you get the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some cases of NF2 occur when the gene mutates on its own. This is called sporadic and is not inherited. Once someone carries the genetic change, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting it. Symptoms Symptoms of NF2 include:Balance problems Cataracts at a young age CataractsA cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Changes in vision Coffee-colored marks on the skin (café-au-lait), less common Headaches Hearing loss Ringing and noises in the ears Weakness of the face Exams and Tests Signs of NF2 include:Brain and spinal tumors Hearing-related (acoustic) tumors Skin tumors Tests include:Physical examination Medical history MRI MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic testingGenetic testingAn epidermoid cyst is a closed sac under the skin, or a skin lump, filled with dead skin cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Acoustic nerve tumors can be observed or treated with surgery or radiation.RadiationRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People with this disorder may benefit from genetic counseling.People with NF2 should be regularly evaluated with these tests:MRI of the brain and spinal cord Hearing and speech evaluation Speech evaluationA speech disorder is a condition in which a person has problems creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others. This can ma...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Eye examEye examA standard eye exam is a series of tests done to check your vision and the health of your eyes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Support Groups More information and support for people with NF2 and their families can be found at:Children's Tumor Foundation -- www.ctf.org Neurofibromatosis Network -- www.nfnetwork.orgOpen ReferencesReferencesGoldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW. Benign tumors of peripheral nerves. In: Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW, eds. Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 26.Safier RA, Cleves-Bayon C, Gaesser J. Neurology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 16.Sahin M, Ullrich N, Srivastava S, Pinto AL. Neurocutaneous syndromes. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 636.AllVideoImagesTogCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationRelated Information Neurofibromatosis-1(Condition)Autosomal dominant(Special Topic) Review Date: 12/31/2023 Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Neurofibromatosis 2NF2; Bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis; Bilateral vestibular schwannomas; Central neurofibromatosisNeurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a disorder in which tumors form on the nerves of the brain and spine (the central nervous system). It may be passed down (inherited) in families.Although it has a similar name to neurofibromatosis type 1, it is a different and separate condition.Neurofibromatosis type 1Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) is an inherited disorder in which nerve tissue tumors (neurofibromas) form in the:Upper and lower layers of the skinNerves ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes NF2 is caused by a change in the gene NF2. NF2 can be passed down through families in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means that if one parent has NF2, any child of that parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. Once someone carries the genetic change, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting it.Autosomal dominantAutosomal dominant is one of many ways that a trait or disorder can be passed down through families. In an autosomal dominant disease, if you get the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some cases of NF2 occur when the gene mutates on its own. This is called sporadic and is not inherited. Once someone carries the genetic change, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting it. Symptoms Symptoms of NF2 include:Balance problems Cataracts at a young age CataractsA cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Changes in vision Coffee-colored marks on the skin (café-au-lait), less common Headaches Hearing loss Ringing and noises in the ears Weakness of the face Exams and Tests Signs of NF2 include:Brain and spinal tumors Hearing-related (acoustic) tumors Skin tumors Tests include:Physical examination Medical history MRI MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic testingGenetic testingAn epidermoid cyst is a closed sac under the skin, or a skin lump, filled with dead skin cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Acoustic nerve tumors can be observed or treated with surgery or radiation.RadiationRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People with this disorder may benefit from genetic counseling.People with NF2 should be regularly evaluated with these tests:MRI of the brain and spinal cord Hearing and speech evaluation Speech evaluationA speech disorder is a condition in which a person has problems creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others. This can ma...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Eye examEye examA standard eye exam is a series of tests done to check your vision and the health of your eyes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Support Groups More information and support for people with NF2 and their families can be found at:Children's Tumor Foundation -- www.ctf.org Neurofibromatosis Network -- www.nfnetwork.orgOpen ReferencesReferencesGoldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW. Benign tumors of peripheral nerves. In: Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW, eds. Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 26.Safier RA, Cleves-Bayon C, Gaesser J. Neurology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 16.Sahin M, Ullrich N, Srivastava S, Pinto AL. Neurocutaneous syndromes. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 636.