Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that results from too much growth hormone (GH) in the body. It is caused when the pituitary gland makes too much GH. The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. It controls, makes, and releases several hormones, including GH. In acromegaly, the pituitary produces excessive amounts of GH, usually because of a benign, or noncancerous, tumor on the pituitary. When the pituitary gland produces too much GH, your bones increase in size, including those of your hands, feet and face.

Acromegaly is most often diagnosed in middle-aged adults, although symptoms can appear at any age. If not treated, acromegaly can result in serious illness and premature death. Acromegaly is treatable in most patients, but because of its slow onset, it often is not diagnosed early or correctly. The most serious health consequences of acromegaly are type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and arthritis.

When GH-producing tumors occur in childhood, the disease that results is called gigantism rather than acromegaly. A child's height is determined by the length of the so-called long bones in the legs. In response to GH, these bones grow in length at the growth plates, which are areas near both ends of the bone. Growth plates fuse after puberty, so excessive GH production in adults does not result in increased height. However, prolonged exposure to excess GH before the growth plates fuse causes increased growth of the long bones and thus increased height. Pediatricians may become concerned about this possibility if a child's growth rate suddenly and markedly increases beyond what would be predicted by previous growth and how tall the child's parents are.

Acromegaly is a rare condition. Because it is uncommon and physical changes occur gradually, the condition often is not recognized immediately, and, sometimes, it is not diagnosed for several years. If not treated promptly, acromegaly can lead to serious illness and even become life-threatening. However, available treatments for acromegaly can reduce your risk of complications and significantly improve your symptoms, including the enlargement of your features.

Acromegaly is caused when the pituitary gland makes too much GH. Usually, a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland causes the gland to release too much growth hormone. The tumor secretes excessive amounts of GH, causing many of the signs and symptoms of acromegaly. Some of the symptoms of acromegaly, such as headaches and impaired vision, are due to the tumor mass pressing on nearby brain tissues.

In a few people with acromegaly, tumors in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, pancreas, or adrenal glands, cause the disorder. Sometimes, these tumors secrete GH, but, in other cases, the tumors produce a hormone called growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to make more GH.

See your doctor if you notice gradual enlargement of your hands, feet, or facial features along with joint pain, headaches, or vision changes. Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent serious long-term complications.