Acromegaly

Acromegaly is chronic growth-hormone (GH)/IGF-1 excess, almost always from a pituitary somatotroph adenoma, occurring after epiphyseal closure in adults. Features: enlarged hands/feet, coarse facial features, prognathism, wide spacing of teeth, frontal bossing, skin tags, carpal tunnel, arthritis, hypertension, glucose intolerance/diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiomyopathy. If excess occurs before epiphyseal closure, it causes pituitary gigantism. Treatment: transsphenoidal surgery; medical therapy (somatostatin analogs, GH-receptor antagonist); radiotherapy.

Common Symptoms

Enlarged hands/feet; coarse facies; prognathism; carpal tunnel; snoring/sleep apnea; hypertension; diabetes; arthralgia

Causes and Pathogenesis

Pituitary GH-secreting adenoma drives hepatic IGF-1 overproduction, causing acral/soft-tissue overgrowth and systemic metabolic/cardiovascular effects.

Treatment

Transsphenoidal adenomectomy; somatostatin analogs (octreotide/lanreotide); pegvisomant; dopamine agonists; radiotherapy for residual disease

Preventive Measures

Early diagnosis; screen acral enlargement; treat hypertension/diabetes/cardiomyopathy; annual pituitary MRI.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Endocrinology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.