Acromegaly

An endocrine disease causing enlargement of parts of the skeleton due to over-secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland.


A progressive disease associated with hyperfunction of the pituitary gland and characterized by enlargement of the skeleton, hands, feet, and face.


A disease caused by excessive quantities of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland, causing a slow enlargement of the hands, feet and jaws in adults.


A disease that results from excess growth hormone production and release from the anterior pituitary. It is characterized by coarsening of facial features through growth of the facial bones. Excess fatty acid mobilization and glucose intolerance are also observed. In the young, excess growth hormone production is characterized by gigantism. In the adult, it is termed acromegaly because the long bones are closed, making further growth impossible. In adults, treatment consists of removing the source of the excess growth hormone. Usually this is a tumor in the anterior pituitary.


Acromegaly is characterized by excessive growth due to over-secretion of growth hormone, which is produced in the liver and other tissues and is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. Over-secretion of growth hormone is often caused by the presence of a benign pituitary tumor (adenoma) but can also be caused by lung and pancreas tumors that stimulate the excessive production of substances similar to growth hormone.


Hormonal disorder occurring in middle-aged people and characterized by progressive enlargement and elongation of the hands, feet, and face, often accompanied by headache, muscle pain, and visual and emotional disturbances. It is caused by an overproduction of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary gland (due to a tumor) and is treated by radiation or surgery of the pituitary. Also called acromegalia.


Excessive secretion of the growth hormone somatotropin that produces enlargement of head, face, hands, and feet.


A condition caused by excessive secretion of pituitary growth hormone. Abnormal cartilage growth causes enlargement of hands, feet, facial features and, in children, exaggerated height.


A rare, slowly progressive, chronic hormonal disorder caused by an overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. In most cases, the excess production of growth hormone is caused by an adenoma, a benign (not cancerous) tumor, which in acromegaly affects the pituitary gland. Treatment options include surgery to remove the adenoma, medication, and radiation of the pituitary gland.


Increase in size of the hands, feet, and the face due to excessive production of growth hormone (somatotropin) by a tumor of the anterior pituitary gland. The tumor can be treated with X-rays or surgically removed.


A disorder caused by the increased secretion of growth hormone by an adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland. It results in excessive growth of both the skeleton and soft tissues (muscles etc). If it occurs in adolescence before the bones have stopped growing, the result is gigantism; if it occurs in adult life the skeletal overgrowth is confined to the hands, feet, cranial sinuses and jaw. Most of the features are due to overgrowth of the cartilage of the nose and ear and of the soft tissues which increase the thickness of the skin and lips. The thyroid gland and liver are also affected.


An uncommon medical condition arises from an overproduction of growth hormone triggered by a non-cancerous tumor. When this tumor emerges during the initial decade of life, it leads to a condition called gigantism, characterized by accelerated growth, rather than acromegaly. Manifestations of this condition encompass facial features becoming more coarse, enlargement of the hands, feet, ears, and nose, protrusion of the jaw, and a lengthened facial appearance.


Gigantism is a rare medical condition characterized by the abnormal enlargement of various body parts, including the skull, jaw, hands, feet, and internal organs.


Acromegaly is a medical condition that occurs due to the excessive production of growth hormone by a noncancerous tumor in the anterior pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. This condition leads to the abnormal enlargement of various body parts.


In cases where the tumor develops prior to puberty, it leads to gigantism, a condition characterized by accelerated growth instead of acromegaly. However, it is more commonly observed that the tumor arises after the growth in the long bones of the limbs has ceased. This subsequent development gives rise to acromegaly, although it may take several years for the symptoms and signs of the condition to manifest.


Acromegaly is associated with various symptoms and signs, which include the enlargement of the hands, feet, ears, and nose, as well as a protruding lower jaw and elongated facial features. Additionally, individuals with acromegaly may experience a deepening or hoarseness in their voice. Furthermore, common symptoms that can occur in any brain tumor, such as headaches and visual disturbances, are also possible manifestations of acromegaly.


The diagnosis of acromegaly involves measuring the levels of growth hormone in the blood before and after administering a specific amount of glucose. Typically, glucose administration suppresses the secretion of growth hormone. However, if the blood hormone level remains unaffected by the presence of glucose, it confirms the uncontrolled secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. Additionally, CT scanning or MRI techniques, which provide cross-sectional or three-dimensional images of the body’s structures, may be performed to identify the presence of a tumor or abnormal enlargement of the pituitary gland.


Treatment options for a pituitary gland tumor include surgical removal or radiotherapy. In some cases, the medication octreotide can be administered to inhibit the production of growth hormone, providing symptom control for individuals awaiting surgery or awaiting the effects of radiotherapy. Additionally, the drug bromocriptine has the potential to shrink the tumor in certain instances.


A disorder affecting the pituitary gland, leading to the excessive growth of bones and enlargement of the chin, hands, and feet. This condition is easily identifiable due to the distinctive facial appearance and complaints of headaches. Successful treatment has been achieved by using targeted deep X-rays on the pituitary gland to halt the progression of the disease.


 


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