Care of adults with neurofibromatosis type 1: a clinical practice resource of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)

Abstract

Disclaimer: This practice resource is designed primarily as an educational resource for medical geneticists and other clinicians to help them provide quality medical services. Adherence to this practice resource is completely voluntary and does not necessarily assure a successful medical outcome. This practice resource should not be considered inclusive of all proper procedures and tests or exclusive of other procedures and tests that are reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. In determining the propriety of any specific procedure or test, the clinician should apply his or her own professional judgment to the specific clinical circumstances presented by the individual patient or specimen. Clinicians are encouraged to document the reasons for the use of a particular procedure or test, whether or not it is in conformance with this practice resource. Clinicians also are advised to take notice of the date this practice resource was adopted, and to consider other medical and scientific information that becomes available after that date. It also would be prudent to consider whether intellectual property interests may restrict the performance of certain tests and other procedures.

Purpose: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder that is caused by a heterozygous loss-of-function variant in the tumor suppressor gene NF1; it affects ~1/1,900-1/3,500 people worldwide. The disorder is associated with an 8-15-year reduction in average life expectancy in both men and women, primarily due to malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular causes.

Methods: A work group of experts sought to determine the prevalence, morbidity and mortality, and available treatments of common and emerging NF1-related clinical problems in adults. Work-group members identified peer-reviewed publications from PubMed. Publications derived from populations and multi-institution cohorts were prioritized. Recommendations for management arose by consensus from this literature and the collective expertise of the authors.

Results: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), breast cancer, cutaneous neurofibromas, and significant psychiatric and neurologic diagnoses are common problems in patients with NF1.

Conclusion: Patient education and sensitization to worrisome signs and symptoms such as progressive severe pain (MPNST), changes in tumor volume (MPNST), new, unexplained neurologic symptoms (MPNST, brain tumors), and diaphoresis/palpitations (pheochromocytoma) are important. Although many issues in adults with NF1 can be managed by an internist or family physician, we strongly encourage evaluation by, and care coordination with, a specialized NF1 clinic.