Tumor Pictures

Neurofibromatosis in Children

Fri 24 Feb 2017 19:18:12 +0200

“Neurofibromatosis” is actually a term, which encompasses at least two distinct disorders. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the more common, affecting about 1/4000 people throughout the world. Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) affects about 1/40,000 people.

NF1 manifests itself at birth or during early childhood. It is a genetic condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

multiple flat, light-brown patches of skin pigment, called café-au-lait macules or spots
skinfold freckling
visible neurofibromas that appear as bumps on or under the skin
small nodules on the iris (colored part of the eye) called Lisch nodules, which do not cause problems. They’re invisible to the naked eye, but can be detected by an ophthalmologist.

Enlargement and deformity of bones and curvature of the spine (scoliosis) may also be present. On occasion, people with NF1 may develop tumors in the brain, on the cranial nerves or involving the spinal cord. Since neurofibromas are wrapped around nerve fibers, they can sometimes be painful if pressure is applied to them. Neurofibromas can be removed, but the surgery may leave a scar, and the neurofibroma may grow back.

Some children with NF1 may also have plexiform neurofibromas. These are a different kind of neurofibroma. They may be large, and they can encircle and interweave with normal tissue, making them extremely hard to remove. Doctors monitor these tumors for change in size, consistency or appearance of new symptoms such as pain.

The Spots of Neurofibromatosis

Tue 21 Feb 2017 17:21:13 +0200

Café au lait spots, or café au lait (CAL) macules (CALMs), are hyperpigmented lesions that may vary in color from light brown to dark brown; this is reflected by the name of the condition, which means "coffee with milk." The borders may be smooth or irregular.

The size and number of café au lait skin lesions widely vary and are usually the earliest manifestations of neurofibromatosis. The macules may be observed in infancy, although they are typically very light in infants and can be difficult to appreciate. The skin lesions develop in early infancy, and they may enlarge in size and become obvious after age 2 years.

Café au lait macules are observed in 95% of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which is the most frequently occurring neurocutaneous syndrome. These spots may also be observed in patients without NF1. Other conditions in which they may be observed include McCune-Albright syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and Fanconi anemia.

Whereas small café au lait spots are associated with various syndromes, large, solitary, light-brown patches often represent segmental lentigines that are not associated with any neurocutaneous syndromes or developmental anomalies. Mosaic presentations of neurofibromatosis can also manifest localized café au lait macules or patches.

Neurofibromatosis Baby

Sun 19 Feb 2017 07:41:45 +0200

Neurofibromatosis baby is an unpredictable disorder. Its severity varies widely, even between two people in the same family. Some people with NF1 may be completely unaware they're affected, going through life with only a few café-au-lait spots and bumps on the skin. Others may develop at any time specific medical and cosmetic complications related to the disorder.

Most newborns with the NF1 gene mutation show few or no signs of the disorder. Café-au-lait spots often initially appear in the first few weeks of life, but their absence in a newborn at risk of inheriting NF1 is not a good indicator of whether or not the child has the disorder. The spots may show up later.

Neurofibromas are uncommon in infancy. One exception is the plexiform neurofibroma, a neurofibroma that most often affects multiple branches of large nerves. Plexiform neurofibromas often first appear in infancy as a soft swelling under the skin. However, their absence in a newborn is not a good indicator of whether or not one will appear later in life. Plexiform neurofibromas located deep under the skin may not emerge until they have grown.

Characteristics of NF1 in the early childhood period include the following:

Embryonal tumors
Compression injuries: Plexiform neurofibromas in the mediastinal cavity may cause compression. Back pain in a patient with café au lait lesions should always be taken seriously because this symptom may be a sign of a radiculopathy.
Optic pathway gliomas: These occur by the time the patient is aged 3 years.

Neurofibromatosis

Thu 16 Feb 2017 02:47:10 +0200

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors can develop anywhere in your nervous system, including your brain, spinal cord and nerves. Neurofibromatosis is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood.

In most cases of neurofibromatosis the skin is affected, causing symptoms such as:

pale, coffee-coloured patches
soft, non-cancerous bumps on or under the skin (neurofibromas)

Skin neurofibromas are usually soft and painless. Those that are under the skin are usually firmer to touch but are usually also painless. Other neurofibromas may be deep in the body and cannot be felt from the outside. They do not cause health problems generally although some may press on a nerve and symptoms may develop such as pain or numbness. In this case, you need to see your doctor. Typically, adults will acquire more neurofibromas as they age because they do not go away.

Some neurofibromas can grow in a wide, spreading fashion around large nerves and may feel like a bunch of knots or cords beneath the skin. These types of growths are called plexiforms. Sometimes they will be obvious in early life as an area of swelling but other times they can lie deeper in the body and are harder to detect. They can grow anywhere on the body and, more rarely, occasionally on the face.
When they are present near the surface they sometimes grow to a large size. If this is going to happen it usually does so within the first few years of life. These tumours can be painful if knocked and can be disfiguring depending on their size and shape.

Adults with Neurofibromatosis

Tue 14 Feb 2017 09:28:32 +0200

Neurofibromatosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes typically benign tumors of the nerves and growths in other parts of the body. Some people with this disorder have barely noticeable neurological problems, while others are affected profoundly.

Coffee-coloured patches

The most common symptom of NF1 is the appearance of painless coffee-coloured patches on the skin, known as café au lait spots. They affect 95% of people with NF1. The spots can be present at birth or develop by the time a child is three years old.

During childhood, most children with NF1 will have at least six café au lait spots around 5mm across. These grow to about 15mm during adulthood.

The number of café au lait spots someone has isn't related to the severity of the condition. For example, a person with 10 spots has the same chance of developing further problems as someone with 100 spots.

Having a couple of café au lait spots doesn't necessarily mean you have NF1. About one in 10 people without the condition have one or two of these spots.

Freckles

Another common symptom of NF1 is clusters of freckles in unusual places, such as the armpits, groin and under the breast.

Bumps on or under the skin

As a child gets older, usually during teenage years or early adulthood, they develop bumps on or under their skin (neurofibromas). These are caused by non-cancerous tumours that develop on the coverings of nerves. They may vary in size, from pea-sized to slightly bigger tumours. Some neurofibromas have a purple colour.

The number of neurofibromas a person has can vary. Some people only have a small number while others have them on large sections of their body.

Most neurofibromas aren't particularly painful, but may look unattractive, catch on clothes and occasionally cause irritation and stinging.

However, if neurofibromas develop where multiple branches of nerves come together (plexiform neurofibromas), they can cause large swellings. Plexiform neurofibromas sometimes occur on the skin, but may also develop on larger nerves deeper in the body. They may sometimes cause symptoms including pain, weakness, numbness, bleeding, or bladder or bowel changes.

Neurofibromatosis Early Stages

Thu 09 Feb 2017 21:50:59 +0200

Neurofibromatosis usually appears in childhood. Signs are often evident at birth or shortly afterward, and almost always by age 10. Signs and symptoms are often mild to moderate, but can vary in severity.

Signs and symptoms include:

Flat, light brown spots on the skin (cafe au lait spots). These harmless spots are common in many people. Having more than six cafe au lait spots is a strong indication of NF1. They are usually present at birth or appear during the first years of life and then stabilize.
Freckling in the armpits or groin area. Freckling usually appears by ages 3 to 5. Freckles are smaller than cafe au lait spots and tend to occur in clusters in skin folds.
Tiny bumps on the iris of your eye (Lisch nodules). These harmless nodules can't easily be seen and don't affect your vision.
Soft bumps on or under the skin (neurofibromas). These benign tumors usually develop in or under the skin, but can also grow inside of the body. Sometimes, a growth will involve multiple nerves (plexiform neurofibroma).
Bone deformities. Abnormal bone growth and a deficiency in bone mineral density can cause bone deformities such as a curved spine (scoliosis) or bowed lower leg.
Tumor on the optic nerve (optic glioma). These tumors usually appear by age 3, rarely in late childhood and adolescence, and almost never in adults.
Learning disabilities. Impaired thinking skills are common in children with NF1, but are usually mild. Often there is a specific learning disability, such as problem with reading or mathematics. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is also common.
Larger than average head size. Children with NF1 tend to have a larger than average head size due to increased brain volume.
Short stature. Children with NF1 often are below average in height.

Von Recklinghausen’s Disease

Mon 06 Feb 2017 12:46:40 +0200

Von Recklinghausen’s disease (VRD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of tumors on the nerves. The disease can also affect the skin and cause bone deformities.
The most common form of VRD is NF1. This disease causes tumors called neurofibromas in the tissues and organs of the body. According to the Dental Research Journal, VRD is one of the most common genetic disorders and affects about 1 in 3,000 people.

Symptoms of VRD affecting the skin include the following:

Café au lait macules are tan spots in different sizes and shapes. They can be found in multiple places on the skin.
Freckles can occur under the arms or in the groin area.
Neurofibromas are tumors around or on peripheral nerves.
Plexiform neurofibromas are tumors affecting the nerve bundles.

Other signs and symptoms of VRD include the following

Lisch nodules are growths affecting the iris of the eyes.
Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland. Ten percent of these tumors are cancerous.
Liver enlargement can occur.
Glioma is a tumor of the optic nerve.

Bone involvement from VRD includes short stature, deformities of bones, and scoliosis, or abnormal curvature, of the spine.

All patients should have yearly neurological exams and yearly eye exams.

Basalioma

Mon 15 Feb 2016 14:41:00 +0200

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. Most basal cell cancers occur on skin that is regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. This includes the top of your head, or scalp. Basal cell skin cancer is most common in people over age 40. However, it occurs in younger people, too.
You are more likely to get basal cell skin cancer if you have:
Light-colored or freckled skin
Blue, green, or grey eyes
Blond or red hair
Overexposure to x-rays or other forms of radiation
Many moles
Close relatives who have or had skin cancer
Many severe sunburns early in life
Long-term daily sun exposure (such as the sun exposure people who work outside receive)

Basal cell skin cancer grows slowly and is usually painless. It may not look that different from your normal skin. You may have a skin bump or growth that is:
Pearly or waxy
White or light pink
Flesh-colored or brown

In some cases the skin may be just slightly raised or even flat. You may have:
A skin sore that bleeds easily
A sore that does not heal
Oozing or crusting spots in a sore
A scar-like sore without having injured the area
Irregular blood vessels in or around the spot
A sore with a depressed (sunken) area in the middle

Basal Cell Carcinoma Nose

Mon 01 Feb 2016 19:01:00 +0200

Basal cells are small, round skin cells normally found in the upper part of your skin. When these cells become cancerous, they grow out of control. Basal cell tumors rarely spread or cause death. But cancerous basal cells usually turn into small skin tumors that can destroy skin and nearby tissues. They can grow large over time, causing damage around and under them. Basal cell cancer can grow on any part of the body. However, most basal cell cancers are found on some part of the face. This can cause disfigurement, and can interfere with the function of the eyelids, nose, and mouth.

Basal cell cancer often develops because of repeated, long-term exposure to the sun. People with light skin and blue eyes are at particularly high risk. Less often, basal cell cancer may be caused by exposure to arsenic or certain industrial pollutants. Older people who received X-ray treatment for acne as teenagers are at higher risk of developing basal cell cancer.

Basal cell skin cancer usually appears as a tiny, painless bump with a pink, pearly surface. As the cancer slowly grows, the center of the bump may become sore and develop into a crater that bleeds, crusts, or forms a scab.

A rare type of basal cell cancer may look like a small scar. Although it is commonly located on the face, basal cell cancer can develop on the ears, back, neck and other skin surfaces frequently exposed to the sun.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Wed 27 Jan 2016 17:56:00 +0200

Basal Cell Carcinoma are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). Basal Cell Carcinoma often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars and are usually caused by a combination of cumulative and intense, occasional sun exposure.

Basal Cell Carcinoma almost never spreads (metastasizes) beyond the original tumor site. Only in exceedingly rare cases can it spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. It shouldn’t be taken lightly, though: it can be disfiguring if not treated promptly.

In 2010, an estimated 2.8 million cases of Basal Cell Carcinoma were diagnosed in the US, and the figures have continued to climb. In fact, Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. More than one out of every three new cancers is a skin cancer, and the vast majority are Basal Cell Carcinoma.