People often have a shorter life span than the general population. It affects the nervous system and leads to significant disabilities such as vision, hearing, and balance. In some cases numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs.

NF2, or Neurofibromatosis, is a genetic disorder that produces tumors to grow along your nerves. The tumors can be cancerous but are usually non-cancerous (benign). Almost everyone with NF2 progresses to deafness because tumors ripen along the nerves responsible for balance and hearing. Also known as vestibular schwannomas. The tumors develop from the Schwann cells that aid and insulate nerves. It is either inherited or de novo mutations in the NF2 gene on chromosome 22.

According to the National Institute of Health, birth incidence is around 1 in 33,000. In addition, approximately 50% of individuals diagnosed with NF2 have an affected parent.

“Anticancer Drug Restores Hearing in Some Patients with Neurofibromatosis - 03/14/2016.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, Based in Baltimore, Maryland, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/anticancer_drug_restores_hearing_in_some_patients_with_neurofibromatosis. Accessed 29 May 2023.

“Home - PMC - NCBI.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/. Accessed 29 May 2023.

“Neurofibromatosis Type 2.” Cancer.Net, www.cancer.net/cancer-types/neurofibromatosis-type-2/neurofibromatosis-type-2. Accessed 29 May 2023.