Genetics of Nerve Tumors

Nerve sheath tumors may be benign or malignant and have a variable growth pattern. They may be sporadic or associated with autosomal dominantly inherited conditions, NF1 and NF2. The NF1 and NF2 genes were localized to their respective chromosomes approximately 30 years ago. Significant advancements in our understanding of the genetic processes associated with these and other genes in the development of nerve tumors have been made since that time. The pathways associated with these tumor suppressor genes and other genetic and epigenetic factors involved in nerve tumors and their associated disorders are discussed.