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Acromegaly

By Kelsie Bonow

+Acromegaly

Greek words “extremities” and “enlargement”

Hormonal disorder – excess growth hormone (after puberty)

Results in enlargement of body tissues

Genetic alteration, not present at birth

+Etiology

Benign tumor of pituitary gland (adenoma)

Body continues to produce growth hormone (GH)

IGH-I levels rise

Bone overgrowth, tissue enlargement

Non-pituitary tumors

+Signs and Symptoms - VISIBLE

Abnormal growth of hands and feet

Swelling – change in ring or shoe size

Enlarged jaw, tongue, and facial bones

Widely spaced teeth

Skin tags, skin and body odor, and thickening of skin

Skin and body odor, excessive sweating

Hoarseness

+Signs and Symptoms – NOT VISIBLE

Headache

Fatigue and weakness

Carpal tunnel

Joint pain

Abnormal menstrual cycle and erectile dysfunction

Deepening of voice

Sleep apnea

Impaired vision

+Diagnostics

Blood tests GH level

Oral glucose tolerance test IGF-I levels

Imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Computerized tomography (CT)

+Treatment

Surgery 1st option Rapid and effective Experience of surgeon

Medical Therapy Used if surgery is not a cure Shrinks tumor before surgery Somatostatin, GHRAs,

dopamine agonists

Radio Therapy Tumor remaining after

surgery Do not respond to medication

+Prognosis

Surgery successful in most patients

55 – 80% overall remission rate after surgery

If left untreated.. Symptoms worsen Arthritis Cardiovascular disease Diabetes High blood pressure Vision abnormalities

+Prevention There are no methods to prevent this condition, it is

spontaneous.

Early treatment may prevent further complications.