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Acromegaly

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Endocrine glands
Endocrine glands

Alternative Names    Return to top

Somatotroph adenoma; Growth hormone excess; Pituitary giant; Gigantism

Definition    Return to top

Acromegaly is a chronic metabolic disorder in which there is too much growth hormone and the body tissues gradually enlarge.

Causes    Return to top

Acromegaly occurs in about 6 of every 100,000 adults. It is caused by abnormal production of growth hormone after the skeleton and other organs finish growing.

Excessive production of growth hormone in children causes gigantism rather than acromegaly.

The cause of the increased growth hormone release is usually a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, which is located just below the brain, controls the production and release of several different hormones, including growth hormone.

Symptoms    Return to top

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

This disease may also change the results of the following tests:

Treatment    Return to top

Surgery to remove the pituitary tumor causing this condition corrects the abnormal growth hormone secretion in most patients. This surgery may not be available to patients in remote locations, so travel to a larger metropolitan area may be necessary for treatment.

Radiation of the pituitary gland is used for people who do not respond to the surgical treatment. However, the reduction in growth hormone levels after radiation is very slow.

The following medications may be used to treat acromegaly:

These medications may be used before surgery, or when surgery is not possible.

After treatment, periodic evaluation is necessary to ensure that the pituitary gland is working normally. Yearly evaluations are recommended.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Pituitary surgery is successful in most patients, depending on the size of the tumor and the experience of the surgeon.

Without treatment the symptoms will get worse, and the risk of cardiovascular disease increases.

Possible Complications    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of acromegaly, or if your symptoms do not improve with treatment.

Prevention    Return to top

There are no methods to prevent the condition, but early treatment may prevent complications of the disease from getting worse.

References    Return to top

Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.

Update Date: 3/18/2008

Updated by: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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