Acromegaly
Also called: gigantism
A disorder in adults in which the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone.
- Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging always required
- Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Acromegaly is usually caused by a noncancerous tumor. Middle-aged adults are most commonly affected.
Symptoms include enlargement of the face, hands, and feet.
Prompt treatment is needed to avoid serious illness. Drugs can reduce the effects of growth hormone. If needed, surgery and radiation may be used to remove tumor cells.
Very rare: Fewer than 20,000 US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
Is acromegaly the same as gigantism?
Gigantism occurs when growth hormone hypersecretion occurs before the fusion of the long bone epiphysis and is characterized by tall stature. Acromegaly occurs when GH hypersecretion occurs after the fusion of the epiphysis leading to large extremities and characteristic facies.
Can you live a long life with acromegaly?
If your growth hormone levels aren't properly managed and you have other conditions like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, your life expectancy may reduce by approximately 10 years.
What does acromegaly do to you?
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. When you have too much growth hormone, your bones increase in size. In childhood, this leads to increased height and is called gigantism.
Feb 6, 2024
What happens if acromegaly is left untreated?
Symptoms depend on how long you have had the disease. Symptoms can be missed. So the disease is often not diagnosed until years later. If not treated, acromegaly can lead to heart problems, arthritis, diabetes, vision problems, high blood pressure, or even death.
Feb 6, 2024 · Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood.
Acromegaly (pronounced a-krow-meh-guh-lee) is a rare but serious medical condition that happens when you have high levels of growth hormone (GH) in your body.
Acromegaly is a disorder that results in excess growth of certain parts of the human body. It is caused by excess growth hormone (GH) after the growth plates ...
Acromegaly is a rare condition where the body produces too much growth hormone, causing body tissues and bones to grow more quickly.
Acromegaly is a disorder that occurs when your body makes too much growth hormone (GH). Produced mainly in the pituitary gland, GH controls the physical growth ...
Acromegaly is a rare disorder caused by excessive growth hormone production (GH), most commonly from an adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland.
Acromegaly is a rare disease. It occurs when your pituitary gland makes too much growth hormone for a long time. That causes abnormal growth.
May 12, 2023 · Acromegaly is a condition in which there is too much growth hormone (GH) in your body.
Aug 31, 2023 · Acromegaly is uncommon; only three to four cases are diagnosed per million people each year. It develops very gradually and may not be ...
