acromegaly

Also known as Acromegalic, Acromegalia, Growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, Growth hormone excess, Pseudoacromegaly, Gigacromegaly

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, thickened 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.

AI overview

Acromegaly is a disorder in which the body produces too much growth hormone after growth plates have closed, causing abnormal enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features like the forehead and jaw. The condition can lead to serious health complications including diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure, along with symptoms such as joint pain, skin thickening, and vision problems.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Medical condition.name: Acromegaly
Medical condition.image: Acromegalyteethgapping.jpg
Medical condition.caption: Lower jaw showing the classic spacing of teeth due to acromegaly.
Medical condition.field: Endocrinology
Medical condition.symptoms: Enlargement of the hands, feet, forehead, jaw, and nose, thicker skin, deepening of the voice
Medical condition.complications: Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, particularly enlargement of the heart (cardiomegaly), osteoarthritis, spinal cord compression or fractures, increased risk of cancerous tumors, precancerous growths (polyps) on the lining of the colon.
Medical condition.onset: Middle age
Medical condition.causes: Excess growth hormone (hypersomatotropism)
Medical condition.diagnosis: Blood tests, medical imaging
Medical condition.differential: Pachydermoperiostosis
Medical condition.treatment: Surgery, medications, radiation therapy
Medical condition.medication: Somatostatin analogue, GH receptor antagonist
Medical condition.prognosis: Usually normal (with treatment), 10 year shorter life expectancy (no treatment)
Medical condition.frequency: 3 per 50,000 people