Acromegaly- quick review card

Acromegaly Rare disorders due to excessive production of growth hormone ( GH ) from the anterior pituitary Benign tumour or adenoma ( usually macroadenoma ie > 1 cm ) of the pituitary somatotroph cells ( ant pituitary ) either purely GH secreting or mixed , ectopic - produced by other tumours familial syndromes as MEN type 1

slow insidious disease usually diagnosed aged 4th or 5th decade of life delay in diagnosis is common ( 5-10 yrs ) clinical manifestations depend upon ○ levels of GH and IGF-1○ sensitivity of the different tissues & organs to the increased levels of GH & IGF-1○ tumor size○ age

disproportionate skeletal , tissue and organ growth dysmorphic syndrome ( new bone formation )○ extremities - hands and feet are broadened , fingers are widened , thickened and stubby , soft tissue is thickened ( soft tissue hypertrophy , excess growth of bone & cartilage and also bone formation )○ nose is widened & thickened , cheek bones are obvious , forehead bulges , thick lips , mandibular overgrowth with prognathism , maxillary widening , teeth separation & jaw malocclusion symptoms as malodorous sweating , skin tags , fatigue , lethargy , headache ,...