Can neurofibromas be surgically removed?

If cancerous tumors develop with neurofibromatosis—for example, malignant plexiform neurofibromas, which can develop in the arms, legs, or trunk—they can also be surgically removed. For cancerous tumors, surgery may be combined with other treatments for cancer.

Can you cut off a neurofibroma?

There are many ways to remove neurofibromas. Usually a neurofibroma is “excised”, meaning “cut out”, by a scalpel or other means; or they are “destroyed” by electrosurgery. The tumors may also be destroyed (ablated) by desiccation (dehydration or drying), or vaporized using electrosurgery.

What is the best treatment for neurofibroma?

There is no known treatment or cure for neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis. Medication can be prescribed to help with pain. In some cases, growths may be removed surgically or reduced with radiation therapy.

Can neurofibromas grow back after surgery?

It is important to discuss your expectations prior to surgery, as some neurofibromas may grow back after surgery. Plexiform neurofibromas are another type of neurofibroma. However, these tumors are frequently larger and involve multiple nerves.

Should neurofibromas be removed?

Neurofibroma Surgery Your doctor may recommend surgical removal of a neurofibroma that is causing pain or weakness, that is growing fast or that is suspected of developing into cancer. Depending on the tumor’s location and size and its involvement with the underlying nerve, neurofibroma surgery can be complicated.

How do you shrink neurofibroma?

An investigational drug called selumetinib can shrink tumors in children and young adults with a genetic syndrome called neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and may improve symptoms such as pain and reduced mobility that result from tumors called plexiform neurofibromas, which develop in many people with NF1, according to …

Can neurofibromas shrink?

Confirming that Selumetinib Can Shrink Neurofibromas In the trial, 36 of the 50 patients (72%) had a partial response to selumetinib, meaning that tumor volume shrank by at least 20%.