A type of neurofibroma manifesting as a diffuse overgrowth of subcutaneous tissue, usually involving the face, scalp, neck, and chest but occasionally occurring in the abdomen or pelvis. The tumors tend to progress, and may extend along nerve roots to eventually involve the spinal roots and spinal cord. This process is almost always a manifestation of neurofibromatosis 1. (From Adams et al., Principles of neurology, 6th ed, p1016; J Pediatr 1997 Nov;131(5):678-82)