Archives of Medical Science (May 2019)

Coordinated medical care for children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and related RASopathies in Poland

  • Marek W. Karwacki,
  • Mariusz Wysocki,
  • Marta Perek-Polnik,
  • Agnieszka Jatczak-Gaca

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms.2019.85143
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 5
pp. 1221 – 1231

Abstract

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Coordinated medical care offered in Poland for patients suffering from neurofibromatosis type 1 and related RASopathies combines complex multispecialty consultation with permanent supervision and the patient’s oriented longitudinal care. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is one of the most common single gene disorders in the global population, observed in 1 out of 2500–3000 live births. It is a primary neoplasia disease with 100% penetration of the gene mutation but remarkable age-dependent onset of different disease signs and symptoms, outstanding clinical heterogeneity between patients even in one family and lack of genotype-phenotype correlation, a high rate of spontaneous mutation exceeding 50%, and multiple comorbidities among which increased risk of malignancy is the most important. Medical practice proved that not only patient-oriented complex but also coordinated care provided in centers of competence is indispensable for patients and the families and provides a sense of medical security to them in conjunction with public health costs rationalization.

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