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This volume offers an update of the clinical signs, diagnostic criteria (including molecular diagnosis) and targeted therapies for a particular type of genodermatosis, providing a handy and unique tool for early diagnosis. In recent years, our understanding of genodermatosis and neurocutaneous syndromes has increased, but although Type 1 Neurofibromatosis (NF1) is the most common neuroectodermal disorder and involves a large number of patients and medical disciplines, this syndrome remains underestimated, often misdiagnosed thus leading to inaccurate treatment. The literature on the molecular and pathogenetic aspects is ample, but current clinical approaches, classification, diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols are outdated, creating difficulties in early diagnosis and treatment. As such, a chapter is devoted renewing current diagnostic criteria; it includes clinical and molecular data, to offer a sound, updated discussion basis for a consensus conference.NF1 is a “time-dependent” disorder, meaning that the onset of clinical signs are closely linked to patient age and the book discusses this particularly neglected aspect extensively, as well as the latest molecular diagnosis techniques, which are highly sensitive have not been included in the diagnostic criteria. It also explains the role of the RAS-MAPK pathway and genotype-phenotype correlations. In addition it explores new concepts concerning the pathogenesis of neurofibromas and other hamarthomas and their relevance for a modern therapeutical approach with targeted molecular drugs, as well as newly discovered aspects of NF1 in all internal organs, together with their diagnostic counterparts. A chapter on mosaic neurofibromatosis is also included. There is a particular focus on differential diagnosis (i.e. other diseases with café-au-lait macules), and the recently described Legius syndrome will be presented directly by Prof Eric Legius. All chapters are easy-to-understand, up-to-date, comprehensive and concise tools and are intended for a wide range of professionals involved with genetic disorders of the skin and neurocutaneous diseases: dermatologists, pediatricians, neurologists, oncologists and general practitioners.

This is a practical and objective book that provides an updated and comprehensive overview, offering insight into the research advances in neurofibromatosis. This book represents a reference source for researchers, healthcare professionals from various fields, as well as students, about differents aspects of neurofibromatosis. In addition, this book useful guidance to researchers and health professionals seeking to contribute to longevity and improved quality of life for patients and their families.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), caused by mutational inactivation of the NF1 tumour suppressor gene, is one of the most common dominantly inherited human disorders, affecting 1 in 3000 individuals worldwide. This book presents in concise fashion, but as comprehensively as possible, our current state of knowledge on the molecular genetics, molecular biology and cellular biology of this tumour predisposition syndrome. Written by internationally recognized experts in the field, the 44 chapters that constitute this edited volume provide the reader with a broad overview of the clinical features of the disease, the structure and expression of the NF1 gene, its germ line and somatic mutational spectra and genotype-phenotype relationships, the structure and function of its protein product (neurofibromin), NF1 modifying loci, the molecular pathology of NF1-associated tumours, animal models of the disease, psycho-social aspects and future prospects for therapeutic treatment.