Gigantism (patient information): Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.
Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of [[growth hormone]] during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.


==What are the symptoms of Gigantism?==
==What are the symptoms of Gigantism?==
The child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age.
Other symptoms include:
*[[Delayed puberty]]
*[[Double vision]] or difficulty with side (peripheral) vision
*Frontal bossing and a prominent jaw
*[[Headache]]
*[[Increased sweating]]
*Irregular periods (menstruation)
*Large hands and feet with thick fingers and toes
*Release of breast milk
*Thickening of the facial features
*[[Weakness]]


==What causes Gigantism?==
==What causes Gigantism?==




==Who is at highest risk?==
The most common cause of too much growth hormone release is a noncancerous ([[benign]]) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:
 
*[[Carney complex]]
*[[McCune-Albright syndrome]] (MAS)
*[[Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1]] (MEN-1)
*[[Neurofibromatosis]]
 
If excess [[growth hormone]] occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as [[acromegaly]].
 
Gigantism is very rare.


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==


*[[CT]] or [[MRI]] scan of the head showing pituitary tumor
*Failure to suppress serum [[growth hormone]] (GH) levels after an oral glucose challenge (maximum 75g)
*High [[prolactin]] levels
*Increased [[insulin growth factor-I]] (IGF-I) levels


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including:


*[[Cortisol]]
*[[Estradiol]](girls)
*[[Testosterone]] (boys)
*[[Thyroid hormone]]


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call your health care provider if your child has signs of excessive growth.


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
In [[pituitary tumors]] with well-defined borders, surgery is the treatment of choice and can cure many cases.


For situations in which [[surgery]] cannot completely remove the tumor, medication is the treatment of choice. The most effective medications are somatostatin analogs (such as [[octreotide]] or long-acting lanreotide), which reduce growth hormone release.


==Where to find medical care for Gigantism?==
Dopamine agonists ([[bromocriptine mesylate]], [[cabergoline]]) have also been used to reduce growth hormone release, but these are generally less effective. Pegvisomant, a medication that blocks the effect of growth hormone, may be used.


[[Radiation therapy]] has also been used to bring growth hormone levels to normal. However, it can take 5 - 10 years for the full effects to be seen and this almost always leads to low levels of other pituitary hormones.


==Prevention==
Radiation has also been linked to learning disabilities, obesity, and emotional changes in children. Most experts will use radiation only if surgery and medication fail.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting [[growth hormone]] production.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==Possible complications==
 
*[[Delayed puberty]]


Surgery and radiation can both lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones, which can cause:


==Possible complications==
*[[Adrenal insufficiency]]
*[[Diabetes insipidus]] (rarely)
*[[Hypogonadism]]
*[[Hypothyroidism]]


==Sources==
==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001174.htm

Latest revision as of 15:12, 19 September 2012

Gigantism

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Gigantism On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Gigantism

Videos on Gigantism

FDA on Gigantism

CDC on Gigantism

Gigantism in the news

Blogs on Gigantism

Directions to Hospitals Treating Gigantism

Risk calculators and risk factors for Gigantism

For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click here

Overview

Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.

What are the symptoms of Gigantism?

The child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age.

Other symptoms include:

What causes Gigantism?

The most common cause of too much growth hormone release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:

If excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as acromegaly.

Gigantism is very rare.

Diagnosis

Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if your child has signs of excessive growth.

Treatment options

In pituitary tumors with well-defined borders, surgery is the treatment of choice and can cure many cases.

For situations in which surgery cannot completely remove the tumor, medication is the treatment of choice. The most effective medications are somatostatin analogs (such as octreotide or long-acting lanreotide), which reduce growth hormone release.

Dopamine agonists (bromocriptine mesylate, cabergoline) have also been used to reduce growth hormone release, but these are generally less effective. Pegvisomant, a medication that blocks the effect of growth hormone, may be used.

Radiation therapy has also been used to bring growth hormone levels to normal. However, it can take 5 - 10 years for the full effects to be seen and this almost always leads to low levels of other pituitary hormones.

Radiation has also been linked to learning disabilities, obesity, and emotional changes in children. Most experts will use radiation only if surgery and medication fail.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting growth hormone production.

Possible complications

Surgery and radiation can both lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones, which can cause:

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001174.htm