Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a disorder that results in excess growth of certain parts of the human body. It is caused by excess growth hormone (GH) after the growth plates have closed. The initial symptom is typically enlargement of the hands and feet. There may also be an enlargement of the forehead, jaw, and nose. Other symptoms may include joint pain, thicker skin, deepening of the voice, headaches, and problems with vision. Complications of the disease may include type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
| Acromegaly | |
|---|---|
| Lower jaw showing the classic spacing of teeth due to acromegaly. | |
| Pronunciation |
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| Specialty | Endocrinology |
| Symptoms | Enlargement of the hands, feet, forehead, jaw, and nose, thicker skin, deepening of the voice |
| Complications | Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, particularly enlargement of the heart (cardiomyopathy), osteoarthritis, spinal cord compression or fractures, increased risk of cancerous tumors, precancerous growths (polyps) on the lining of the colon. |
| Usual onset | Middle age |
| Causes | Excess growth hormone (hypersomatotropism) |
| Diagnostic method | Blood tests, medical imaging |
| Differential diagnosis | Pachydermoperiostosis |
| Treatment | Surgery, medications, radiation therapy |
| Medication | Somatostatin analogue, GH receptor antagonist |
| Prognosis | Usually normal (with treatment), 10 year shorter life expectancy (no treatment) |
| Frequency | 3 per 50,000 people |
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