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

The charity was formed in honor of Penny Doerge, the daughter of former Paul Wilmot Communications executive Kate Doerge, who died at the age of 16 from neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways throughout the body. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 24 June 2025

Catch up quick: Cupid's Undie Run is an annual fundraiser held around Valentine's Day in 34 U.S. cities to raise awareness for neurofibromatosis. —Claire Reilly, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Stan had spoken to Pearson’s mother, who watched her son develop neurofibromatosis before growing into a disability advocate and, eventually, an actor. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024

The British actor, 40, lives with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that leads to the growth of tumors in various parts of the body. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 May 2025

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.