Acromegaly

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Endocrine glands

Somatotroph adenoma; Growth hormone excess

Microsurgery to remove the pituitary tumor causing this condition corrects the abnormal growth hormone secretion in most patients. This surgery may not be available to patients in isolated geographic locations, so travel to a larger metropolitan area may be necessary for treatment.

Radiation of the pituitary gland is used for people who do not respond to the surgical treatment. However, the reduction in growth hormone levels after radiation is very slow.

Treatment with the medications cabergoline or octreotide may control growth hormone secretions in some people. Pegvisomant, a new drug that directly blocks the effects of growth hormone, has been shown to improve symptoms of acromegaly in recent studies. These medications may be used as initial treatment if surgery is unavailable or if the person is unable to tolerate surgery.

After treatment, periodic evaluation is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the pituitary gland. Yearly evaluations are recommended.

Pituitary surgery is successful in up to 80% of patients, depending on the size of the tumor and the experience of the surgeon.

Without treatment the symptoms are progressive, and the risk of cardiovascular disease increases.

• hypopituitarism (too little secretion of other pituitary hormones)
• high blood pressure
• glucose intolerance or diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• sleep apnea
• arthritis
• colonic polyps
• uterine fibroids
• spinal cord compression
• vision abnormalities

Call your health care provider if symptoms of acromegaly are present or if symptoms do not improve with treatment.

Review Date: 05/12/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.