Did the "elephant man" have nf1?

Possibly: Joseph merrick was born aug 5, 1862 in england. Severely deformed from birth, he supported himself as a side-show exhibit. He eventually became a permanent resident of the london hospital, where he died in 1890. Although his specific diagnosis may never be known for sure, it is now suspected that he had a combination of nf-1 and proteus syndrome. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/joseph_merrick.

No: The elephant man did not have neurofibromatosis , although many labeled his so for years. The proper syndrome is recognized now as proteus syndrome. It is rare & sporatic in occurance but unrelated to the nf gene.

Proteus syndrome: The elephant man had a rarer syndrome proteus syndrome. This syndrome does not include neurofibromas. The soft tissue tumors consist of lipomas , hemangiomas, and lymphangiomas. Asymmetric bone overgrowth of hands and feet, scoliosis, enlarged heads, gyriform brainlike reduncancy of skin in feet, enlargement of one side of body, and normal intelligence.This syndrome is genetic.

No: This popular claim is made and it is not true. He has Proteus syndrome. If you look at the photos, he is far more severely involved on one side. "Elephant skin" may overlie a neurofibroma in NF1. Mr. Merrick's history and celebrity made people aware that folks with birth defects have feelings and thoughts like everyone else -- this was a breakthrough.