How to understand Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a syndrome in which the pituitary gland is producing more human growth hormone than the body needs. In some cases, individuals that have human growth hormone (HGH) injections if abused can also have this syndrome. It is often associated with gigantism as the symptoms and characteristics are similar. Acromegaly can be a result from high levels of human growth hormone in the blood stream as well as tumors in the pituitary gland.

In the majority of cases, the patients are middle-aged individuals with disfigurement and ultimately death. Acromegaly is hard to diagnosis in the early stages until external changes begin to appear.

Symptoms

•  Swelling or noticeable enlargement of the feet, hands, lips, nose, and ears.

•  Thickening of the skin

•  Swelling of the internal organs

•  Due to the swelling of the organs, the heart begins to weaken, the kidneys, and the vocal chords which signs are a deep voice and slow speech

•  The skull expands

•  Protrusion of the brow

•  Protrusion of the lower jaw

•  Enlargement of the tongue

Other complications can include

•  Arthritis

•  carpal tunnel syndrome

•  Diabetes mellitus

•  Enlarged heart

•  Headaches

•  Heart failure

•  Hypertension

•  Kidney failure

•  Loss of vision

•  Increased sweating over the face

In the majority of cases, Acromegaly is caused from a benign tumor of the pituitary gland known as an adenoma. As the tumor grows, the brain tissue is compressed which can lead to the complications. Due to the growth of the tumor, the production of other hormones besides the human growth hormone are affected which can also result in changes in the menstrual cycle and breast discharge of women along with impotency in men.

Treatment

The treatment is given to reduce the growth hormone production back to normal levels while relieving the pressure of the growing tumor. The most common treatments available include surgery, medications, and radiation therapy.

Surgery is the fastest and most effective treatment available for Acromegaly. There are two procedures available at this time, which are Endonasal Transphenoidal and transsphenoidal surgery. Endonasal Transphenoidal is performed through the nasal cavity with small surgical tools to remove the tumor. Transsphenoidal surgery is performed with an incision made under the upper lip in the gum in order to reach and remove the tumor. Surgery is often reserved for individuals with high human growth hormone levels.

Medications

Bromocriptine – Parlodel is given to reduce the amount of growth hormone secreted. In most cases, it is given in doses of 20 mg each day. However, this medication does have side effects, which include vomiting, dizziness, nasal congestion, upset gastrointestinal, and nausea.

Octreotide – Sandostatin and Lanreotide – Somatuline are given as injections each day for 2 to 4 weeks. In the majority of cases, these drugs work quickly and patients report that headaches disappear within minutes.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is often reserved for individuals when tumors could not be completely removed and if medications are not working to reduce the amount of growth hormone being produced or the tumor is not shrinking.