Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (patient information)

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Overview

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor causes unchecked growth of tissue along the nerves. This can put pressure on affected nerves and cause pain, severe nerve damage, and loss of function in the area served by the nerve. Problems with sensation or movement can occur, depending on the nerves affected.
The condition can be very different from person to person, even among people in the same family who have the NF1 gene.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor that are associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 may have the coffee-with-milk (café-au-lait) spots are the hallmark symptom of neurofibromatosis. Although many healthy people have 1 or 2 small café-au-lait spots, adults with 6 or more spots greater than 1.5 cm in diameter are likely to have neurofibromatosis. In most people with the condition, these spots may be the only symptom.