Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which doctors treat Farber disease?

A pediatrician usually diagnoses Farber disease. Ante-natal diagnosis is also possible. A team of specialists including those from Internal Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, and Plastic Surgery may have to work in a coordinated manner to treat the affected person.

2. Is Farber disease curable?

No specific treatment is currently available for Farber disease. Supportive management is the mainstay. Pain therapy, physical therapy, surgical correction of joint deformities and medications to relieve inflammation are employed.

3. Can Farber disease be prevented?

The disease is due to a genetic mutation, which cannot be prevented. Antenatal diagnosis is however possible using cultured skin cells from the amniotic fluid to assay the acid ceramidase enzyme. This makes possible the selective abortion of affected foetuses, depending on the parents’ decision.

Published on Mar 29, 2013
Last Updated on Oct 09, 2014