Pediatric Plexiform Neurofibromas

Plexiform neurofibromas are a common complication of neurofibromatosis.

Plexiform neurofibromas are predominantly inherited tumors that can occur anywhere in the body. This includes the head and neck, extremities, areas around the spine and deep in the body where they may affect organs.

Although these tumors tend to grow slowly, they may grow to an enormous size and can cause serious disfigurement, brain dysfunction or impingement on other organs. They may also cause pain.

Until recently, the only known effective treatment for plexiform neurofibromas has been surgery. Approximately 75% of patients who undergo a complete removal of the tumor without causing significant neurologic impairment or dysfunction are cured.

Children's National Hospital and other sites around the country are developing new therapies for patients whose tumors can only be partly removed. Most of these treatments are biologically based and designed to treat the genetic foundations of the tumor.

These types of congenital lesions occur in up to 60% of patients with neurofibromatosis. However, only a minority of these patients is symptomatic and requires treatment.

Although diagnosis of these lesions is usually possible by examination of the child, the full extent of the lesion is best seen by MRI scan. MRI scans may show these lesions to be much more extensive than previously thought. For those patients with tumors around the spine, the lesions may be extremely extensive.