Adriana Ioachimescu, MD, co-director of the Emory Pituitary Center at the Emory University School of Medicine, discusses the keys symptoms of acromegaly that most often help the diagnostic journey.
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that results from the pituitary gland producing too much growth hormone. It is most often diagnosed in middle-aged adults, although symptoms can appear at any age. Signs and symptoms include abnormal growth and swelling of the hands and feet; bone changes that; alter various facial features; arthritis; carpal tunnel syndrome; enlargement of body organs; and various other symptoms.
The condition is usually caused by benign tumors on the pituitary called adenomas. Rarely, it is caused by tumors of the pancreas, lungs, and other parts of the brain stimulating the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone. It is sporadic in 95% of the cases, but almost 50% of the childhood-onset cases have an identifiable gene mutation, most commonly in the AIP gene or GPR101 gene. Treatment may include hormones, radiotherapy, and surgery. When left untreated, it can result in serious illness and premature death. When growth hormone-producing tumors occur in childhood, the disease that results is called gigantism rather than acromegaly.
For more information on acromegaly, visit our disease page here.
To learn more about other endocrine disorders, click here.
