Surgery for neurofibromatosis can include biopsies to evaluate tumors to resection (removal) of painful, cancerous, or disfiguring tumors. Neurosurgeons operate on benign and malignant tumors caused by neurofibromatosis all over the body, including in the brain and spine and on peripheral nerves.
The need for surgery is highly specific, depending on the individual. Many neurofibromatosis patients never need surgery, and some need multiple surgeries.
Surgery on benign tumors is done for diagnostic purposes, for relief of pain, or to improve neurologic function. Malignant tumors often need to be removed as just one part of a far more comprehensive treatment strategy to be discussed with one of our physicians.
The comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Program at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center is designed to treat the whole patient. Find out more about the Neurofibromatosis Program.
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Greenfield, Ph.D., M.D.
Last reviewed/last updated: April 2021
