Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a commonly acquired hormonal disorder that is based on a pathological overproduction of growth hormone (GH). s

In rare cases, acromegaly is associated with hereditary diseases, as in the case of lipodystrophy type Berardinelli. This increased production of GH usually follows a benign tumor in the anterior pituitary area. Growth hormone (GH, STH) in the liver provides stimulation of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) production, which causes a stimulus of growth in peripheral tissue. In addition, in the expression of the clinical picture, it can be distinguished whether the growth plate (in the epiphysis) is open or closed in the patient. If the growth plate is open, gigantism in the form of a hyperphysia is found under the overproduction of GH gigantic growth.

With the growth plate closed, an aggravation of the acres is in the foreground.

The enlargement of the acres refers to the enlarged peripheral ends of (nose, fingers, toes, chin) which may be described as broadened, clumsy or inharmonious. Other pervasive symptoms include the growth of internal organs (visceromegaly), diabetes mellitus, hypertension and sleep apnea.

Acromegaly patients have a limited life expectancy.