| Abstract: |
This fact sheet, from the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service (NEMDIS), describes acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results from too much growth hormone (GH) in the body. Usually, the excess GH comes from benign, or noncancerous, tumors on the pituitary gland. The fact sheet is written in a question-and-answer format and covers the causes of acromegaly, the symptoms of this disorder, pituitary and nonpituitary tumors, the incidence of acromegaly, diagnostic tests used to confirm the condition, and treatment options, including surgical removal of the tumor, medical therapy, and radiation therapy of the pituitary. Common features of acromegaly include abnormal growth of the hands and feet; bone growth in the face that leads to a protruding lower jaw and brow and an enlarged nasal bone; joint aches; thick, coarse, oily skin; and enlarged lips, nose, and tongue. Acromegaly can cause sleep apnea, fatigue and weakness, headaches, impaired vision, menstrual abnormalities in women, and erectile dysfunction in men. Acromegaly is diagnosed through a blood test. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary is then used to locate and detect the size of the tumor causing GH overproduction. The fact sheet concludes with a list of three resource organizations through which readers can get more information and a brief description of the activities of the NEMDIS. 1 figure. 9 references. |