1) Acromegaly is caused by excess growth hormone production, usually from a pituitary tumor. The goals of treatment are to control symptoms, suppress hormone levels, decrease tumor size, and preserve normal pituitary function.
2) Surgical removal of the tumor via transsphenoidal surgery often results in remission, with higher rates for microadenomas versus macroadenomas. Pre-operative factors like tumor size and invasiveness affect outcomes.
3) Medical therapies like somatostatin analogs and GH receptor antagonists can help control hormone levels and symptoms in cases where surgery is not effective or possible. These medications provide alternatives or adjuncts to surgery in treating acromegaly.
Gigantism is caused by an excess of growth hormone, most commonly from a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include abnormally large stature, delayed puberty, vision problems, and enlarged features of the hands, feet and face. Treatment options include removing the tumor through surgery or the nose, medications to reduce growth hormone levels, and radiation therapy which can normalize hormone levels over 5-10 years. Diagnosis involves scans of the pituitary gland, failure of GH levels to suppress after a glucose challenge, and high levels of prolactin and IGF-I.
1) Acromegaly is caused by excess growth hormone production, usually from a pituitary tumor. The goals of treatment are to control symptoms, suppress hormone levels, decrease tumor size, and preserve normal pituitary function.
2) Surgical removal of the tumor via transsphenoidal surgery often results in remission, with higher rates for microadenomas versus macroadenomas. Pre-operative factors like tumor size and invasiveness affect outcomes.
3) Medical therapies like somatostatin analogs and GH receptor antagonists can help control hormone levels and symptoms in cases where surgery is not effective or possible. These medications provide alternatives or adjuncts to surgery in treating acromegaly.
Gigantism is caused by an excess of growth hormone, most commonly from a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include abnormally large stature, delayed puberty, vision problems, and enlarged features of the hands, feet and face. Treatment options include removing the tumor through surgery or the nose, medications to reduce growth hormone levels, and radiation therapy which can normalize hormone levels over 5-10 years. Diagnosis involves scans of the pituitary gland, failure of GH levels to suppress after a glucose challenge, and high levels of prolactin and IGF-I.
The document discusses a clinical case of a 59-year-old female presenting symptoms indicative of chronic liver disease and acromegaly, including episodes of hematemesis and melena, alongside a significant history of alcohol consumption and joint pain. Diagnostic tests revealed liver dysfunction and elevated growth hormone levels consistent with acromegaly, likely due to a benign pituitary adenoma. Treatment involved medical management with octreotide and other supportive measures, emphasizing the need for ongoing evaluation and monitoring of hormone levels and associated comorbidities.
1. Investigation and management of acromegaly involves assessing GH and IGF-1 levels through tests like the glucose tolerance test and MRI of the pituitary to detect adenomas. Surgery is the first-line treatment but other options include radiotherapy, somatostatin analogues, dopamine agonists, and GH antagonists to normalize GH and IGF-1 levels.
2. Complications of acromegaly include increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, and colon polyps. The goal of management is to reduce GH levels to below 5 mU/L to minimize these risks.
3. Treatment approaches include trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery, followed by radiotherapy
This document provides information about acromegaly, a rare disorder caused by excess growth hormone in adults. It discusses the typical causes, signs and symptoms, and effects on organ systems. Pituitary adenomas that secrete growth hormone are responsible for over 95% of cases. Clinical features depend on when excess growth hormone begins, causing either gigantism in children or acromegaly in adults, characterized by enlarged extremities and soft tissues. Complications can include joint and cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent morbidity.
Acromegaly is a disorder caused by excess growth hormone in adults. It results in enlarged features, joints, organs and soft tissue. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, joint pain and sweating. It is typically caused by a non-cancerous tumor on the pituitary gland. Diagnosis involves blood tests to check growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, as well as imaging tests to locate tumors. Treatment options include surgery to remove tumors, medication to reduce hormone levels, and radiation therapy. Early treatment can help prevent complications.
Acromegaly is caused by excessive growth hormone production leading to soft tissue and bone overgrowth. Diagnosis involves elevated IGF-1 levels and an oral glucose tolerance test to assess GH suppression. Treatment options include transphenoidal hypophysectomy, somatostatin analogues, dopamine agonists, and GH receptor antagonists. Long-term outcomes depend on achieving GH and IGF-1 control through appropriate treatment and monitoring via biochemical testing and MRI imaging.
Acromegaly and gigantism are chronic metabolic disorders caused by excessive growth hormone levels. Acromegaly occurs in adulthood after bone growth plates have closed, causing tissue enlargement. Gigantism occurs in childhood before plate closure, resulting in abnormally large growth. Both are usually due to noncancerous pituitary tumors that overproduce growth hormone, leading to increased insulin-like growth factor levels and symptoms like enlarged hands, feet and head. Diagnosis involves blood tests and imaging to identify the source of excess growth hormone. Treatment focuses on surgery, radiation or medications to reduce hormone levels and stop further growth.
Growth hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary and is essential for linear growth. It acts through somatomedins like Somatomedin-C, which are produced in the liver and bone. The hypothalamus stimulates growth hormone secretion through growth hormone releasing hormone and inhibits it through somatostatin. Other neurotransmitters like dopamine can also influence growth hormone levels. Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone secretion in adults after growth plate fusion and is usually caused by a pituitary adenoma. These adenomas can be microadenomas under 10mm or macroadenomas over 10mm, which may produce hormone excess and mass effects. Acromegaly causes characteristic physical changes and symptoms.