neurofibromatosis

noun

neu·​ro·​fi·​bro·​ma·​to·​sis ˌnu̇r-ō-(ˌ)fī-ˌbrō-mə-ˈtō-səs 

ˌnyu̇r-

: a disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant and characterized especially by brown spots on the skin, neurofibromas of peripheral nerves, and deformities of subcutaneous tissue and bone

Examples of neurofibromatosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pearson, whose first acting role was as one of the men the Scarlett Johansson alien picks up in Under the Skin, has neurofibromatosis, the same genetic condition responsible for the facial deformity that the film’s protagonist, Edward (Sebastian Stan), has then is cured of. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

Marvel veteran Sebastian Stan dons prosthetics to play Edward, a would-be actor with neurofibromatosis, a rare disorder that has left him disfigured by tumours. —The Week Uk, theweek, 10 Oct. 2024

And the part goes not to him, but to Oswald (the British actor Adam Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis). —The Week Uk, theweek, 10 Oct. 2024

In the film, Stan plays Edward, an aspiring actor born with (although it is never specified) neurofibromatosis, or NF1, a genetic condition in which non-cancerous tumors grow in the nervous system, causing bumps and discolorated patches on the skin. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

neurofibromat-, Greco-Latin stem of neurofibroma + -osis

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

neurofibromatosis

noun

neu·​ro·​fi·​bro·​ma·​to·​sis -fī-ˌbrō-mə-ˈtō-səs 

plural neurofibromatoses -ˌsēz 

1

also neurofibromatosis type 1 or neurofibromatosis 1 : an inherited developmental disorder characterized especially by brown spots on the skin that are typically present at birth, neurofibromas of peripheral nerves, and deformities of subcutaneous tissues and bone

—abbreviation NF, NF-1

called also Recklinghausen's disease, von Recklinghausen's disease

2

also neurofibromatosis type 2 or neurofibromatosis 2 : an inherited disorder characterized by bilateral acoustic neuromas developing in childhood or early adulthood that are typically accompanied by other nonmalignant tumors of the central nervous system

—abbreviation NF, NF-2

Note: Both types of neurofibromatosis are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait requiring that one parent pass on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome. Type 1 is much more common than type 2.