Human disease that results in excess growth of certain parts of the body
This article is about the disease in humans. For the disease in animals, see Hypersomatotropism (veterinary).
Medical condition
Acromegaly
Lower jaw showing the classic spacing of teeth due to acromegaly.
Pronunciation
/ˌækrəˈmɛɡəli,-roʊ-/[1][2]
Specialty
Endocrinology
Symptoms
Enlargement of the hands, feet, forehead, jaw, and nose, thicker skin, deepening of the voice[3]
Complications
Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure,[3] 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.[4]
Usual onset
Middle age[3]
Causes
Excess growth hormone (hypersomatotropism)[3]
Diagnostic method
Blood tests, medical imaging[3]
Differential diagnosis
Pachydermoperiostosis[5]
Treatment
Surgery, medications, radiation therapy[3]
Medication
Somatostatin analogue, GH receptor antagonist[3]
Prognosis
Usually normal (with treatment), 10 year shorter life expectancy (no treatment)[6]
Frequency
3 per 50,000 people[3]
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.[3] 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.[3] Complications of the disease may include type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.[3]
^"acromegaly". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020.
^"acromegaly". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
^ abcdefghijkCite error: The named reference NIH2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Acromegaly". mayoclinic.org.
^Guglielmi G, Van Kuijk C (2001). Fundamentals of Hand and Wrist Imaging. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 205. ISBN 9783540678540. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017.
^Cite error: The named reference Ho2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
the acromegaly is not due to a pituitary defect. When these nonpituitary tumors are surgically removed, GH levels fall and the symptoms of acromegaly improve...
card manufacturer making fun of woman with acromegaly". "Mary Ann Bevan, the world's ugliest woman", acromegaly at the Eugenics Archive Mary Ann Bevans [sic]...
"Gigantism and Acromegaly: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology and Etiology". 7 January 2017. "Gigantism and Acromegaly – Hormonal and Metabolic...
noted. Acromegaly is a syndrome that results when the anterior pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH). Approximately 90–95% of acromegaly cases...
disorder (gigantism, acromegaly) Living Deceased Height disputed No growth-related pathological disorder (gigantism, acromegaly) Found to be non-human...
Frontal bossing may be seen in a few rare medical syndromes such as acromegaly – a chronic medical disorder in which the anterior pituitary gland produces...
feet, hands, and head, and after visiting a doctor was diagnosed with acromegaly—a condition usually caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, resulting...
a journalist until after World War I, when the symptoms of acromegaly developed. Acromegaly distorted the shape of Hatton's head, face, and extremities...
Octreotide is used for the treatment of growth hormone producing tumors (acromegaly and gigantism), when surgery is contraindicated, pituitary tumors that...
diabetes insipidus caused by a deficiency of vasopressin Gigantism and acromegaly caused by an excess of growth hormone in childhood and adult, respectively...
history to have been both a dwarf and a giant. He is believed to have had acromegaly. Adam Rainer was born in Graz, Austria-Hungary (present day Austria),...
growth (Gigantism differs from acromegaly because growth hormone takes effect before growth plates are closed; in acromegaly, growth hormone takes effect...
antagonist used in the treatment of acromegaly. It is primarily used if the pituitary gland tumor causing the acromegaly cannot be controlled with surgery...
major with a concentration in acting. In 2013, Pesi was diagnosed with acromegaly while filming 42. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa removed his tumor, and Pesi...
name Somatuline among others, is a medication used in the management of acromegaly and symptoms caused by neuroendocrine tumors, most notably carcinoid syndrome...
1984) was an Italian character actor. He was recognizable for his known acromegaly and appeared in more than sixty films from 1970 to 1984. He died on 13...
exists. Rarely, they can be associated with Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome, acromegaly, or polycystic ovary syndrome. Elevated blood sugar and insulin is linked...
Wadlow was erected opposite the Alton Museum of History and Art in 1986. Acromegaly Gigantism List of tallest people Trijntje Keever, the tallest woman in...
Acromegaly at eMedicine Aguirre, Alfredo (2014). Cellular Endocrinology in Health and Disease. Elsevier. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-12-408134-5. "Acromegaly"...
potentially have great upper body strength. It can sometimes be found alongside acromegaly (an enlargement of the extremities resulting from excess levels of human...
was released on DVD in October 2008. At age 20, he was diagnosed with acromegaly, which explains his tall height of 2.13 m (7 feet) and distinctive facial...
Birla S, Aggarwal S, Sharma A, Tandon N (2014). "Rare association of acromegaly with left atrial myxoma in Carney's complex due to novel PRKAR1A mutation"...
diseases or drugs that produce changes in scalp structure. These include: acromegaly (excessive growth hormone levels due to pituitary gland tumours), and...
lead to acromegaly. This is a disease that causes abnormal growth in the hands, head, jaw, and tongue. Some symptoms associated with acromegaly include...
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