Real-world Settings for the Surgical Treatment of Neurofibroma in Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Abstract

Introduction: Even though an MEK inhibitor has been recently launched, neurofibroma still negatively affects the well-being of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in restricted access to medical care. The present study was conducted to investigate the real-world settings of patients with NF1 who underwent surgery with or without restricted medical access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Based on data obtained from medical records, the present study examined 123 and 260 patients who underwent surgery for neurofibromas with and without restricted medical access, respectively.

Results: The mean numbers of surgeries performed during the periods with and without restricted medical access were 5.8 and 9.8 per month, respectively, and there were 1.18- and 1.46-fold more female patients than male patients for each group, respectively. Regardless of whether medical access was restricted, the majority of patients who underwent surgery were middle-aged females with multiple or severe neurofibromas and mild extracutaneous symptoms. Tumor burden was the most common reason for surgery. However, cutaneous neurofibromas were more likely to be treated than plexiform neurofibromas under restricted medical access.

Conclusions: Patients with NF1, particularly middle-aged females with severe cutaneous manifestations and mild extracutaneous manifestations, still underwent surgery for neurofibromas regardless of whether medical access was restricted.