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Acromegaly   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Hyperpituitarism

Treatment

Microsurgery to remove the pituitary tumor causing this condition corrects the abnormal growth hormone secretion in most patients. This surgery may not be available in isolated 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.

Treatment with the medications bromocriptine 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 medicatons may be used as initial treatment if surgery is unavailable or a 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.

Prognosis

Pituitary surgery is successful in up to 90% of patients, depending on the size of the tumor. Radiation therapy alone is successful in up to 70% of patients at reducing symptoms for at least 5 years.

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

Complications

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

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

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

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