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

Damian has a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis Type 1, which causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue in his body, including one in his head that, if not checked regularly by a doctor and monitored by his family, could interfere with his brain. — Claudia Boyd-Barrett, CBS News, 18 June 2026

He was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

His oldest son, Nick, died in 2023 after a long battle with neurofibromatosis, or NF, a rare disease that causes tumors to grow on nerve tissues. — Brad Quick, CNBC, 21 May 2026

These tumors tend to grow when a child is developing because this form of neurofibromatosis can affect how the brain regulates hormones, Orth explained, noting there is no cure, only ways to manage the symptoms. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neurofibromatosis

• agranulocytosis
• antituberculosis
• arteriosclerosis
• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis

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.