Neurofibroma
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| Histopathologic image of cutanous neurofibroma obtained by biopsy | |
| ICD-O: | 9540-9550 |
| DiseasesDB | 23371 |
| MeSH | D009455 |
Neurofibromas are moderately firm, usually benign, unencapsulated, slow-growing heterogeneous tumors of the nervous system arising from the supporting cells (Schwann cells) of peripheral nerves. In neurofibromatosis, neurofibromas are multiple.
In contrast to Schwannomas - another type of tumor arising from he Schwan - Neurofibromas incorporate all sorts of cells and structural elements in addition to the Schwann cells. Neurofibromas infiltrate the nerve and splay apart the individual nerve fibers. Although usually benign, Neurofibromas can sometimes degenerate into cancer.
Single neurofibromas often occur in middle and old age and grow at the margins of the peripheral nerves, displacing the nerve's main body.
The vestibulocochlear (acoustic) nerve is the most commonly affected, (see acoustic neuroma). Other cranial nerves and spinal nerves are less commonly involved.
Surgical resection is usually curative, though there is a risk of functional damage due to interference with the nerve.
The cases of occurrence of "neurofibromas" are however marginally rare affecting one in a thousand.
Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant disorder.
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