Gigantism and acromegaly

[Tina]

Overproduction of growth hormone causes excessive growth. In children, the condition is called gigantism. In adults, it is called acromegaly.

Excessive growth hormone is almost always caused by a noncancerous (benign) pituitary tumor.
Children develop great stature, and adults develop deformed bones but do not grow taller.
Heart failure, weakness, and vision problems are common.
The diagnosis is based on blood tests and imaging of the skull and hands.
Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head are done to look for the cause.
A combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapy is used to treat the overproduction of growth hormone.

(See also Overview of the Pituitary Gland.)
Growth hormone is produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Growth hormone stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and many internal organs. Excessive growth hormone, therefore, leads to abnormally robust growth of all of these tissues. Overproduction of growth hormone is almost always caused by a noncancerous (benign) pituitary tumor (adenoma). Certain rare tumors of the pancreas and lungs also can produce hormones that stimulate the pituitary to produce excessive amounts of growth hormone, with similar consequences.