Acromegaly - Pituitary adenoma

Acromegaly (from Greek akros "high" and megalos "large" - extremities enlargement) is a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (hGH). Most commonly it is a benign hGH producing tumor derived from a distinct type of cells (somatotrophs) and called pituitary adenoma. Acromegaly most commonly affects middle-aged adults and can result in serious illness and premature death. Because of its insidious onset and slow progression, the disease is hard to diagnose in the ...

Including:

• Acromegaly - Symptoms
• Acromegaly - Causes
• Acromegaly - Pituitary adenoma
• Acromegaly - Other tumors
• Acromegaly - Treatment
• Acromegaly - Surgery
• Acromegaly - Drug therapy
• Acromegaly - Radiation therapy
• Acromegaly - Pituitary gigantism in children

Read more here: » Acromegaly: Encyclopedia - Acromegaly

The goals of treatment are to reduce GH production to normal levels, to relieve the pressure that the growing pituitary tumor exerts on the surrounding brain areas, to preserve normal pituitary function, and to reverse or ameliorate the symptoms of acromegaly. Currently, treatment options include surgical removal of the tumor, drug therapy, and radiation therapy of the pituitary. Acromegaly - Surgery. Surgery is a rapid and effective treatment. The surgeon reaches the pituitary through an incision in the n ...

See also:

Acromegaly, Acromegaly - Symptoms, Acromegaly - Causes, Acromegaly - Pituitary adenoma, Acromegaly - Other tumors, Acromegaly - Treatment, Acromegaly - Surgery, Acromegaly - Drug therapy, Acromegaly - Radiation therapy, Acromegaly - Pituitary gigantism in children

Read more here: » Acromegaly: Encyclopedia II - Acromegaly - Treatment

Acromegaly - Pituitary adenoma. In over 90 percent of acromegaly patients, the overproduction of GH is caused by a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, called an adenoma. These tumors produce excess GH and, as they expand, compress surrounding brain tissues, such as the optic nerves. This expansion causes the headaches and visual disturbances that are often symptoms of acromegaly. In addition, compression of the surrounding normal pituitary tissue can alter production of other hormones, leading to changes in menstruation and breast dis ...

See also:

Acromegaly, Acromegaly - Symptoms, Acromegaly - Causes, Acromegaly - Pituitary adenoma, Acromegaly - Other tumors, Acromegaly - Treatment, Acromegaly - Surgery, Acromegaly - Drug therapy, Acromegaly - Radiation therapy, Acromegaly - Pituitary gigantism in children

Read more here: » Acromegaly: Encyclopedia II - Acromegaly - Causes