Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a chronic progressive disease characterized by overproduction of growth hormone. This disease causes excessive growth of the bones of the hands, feet, skull and internal organs.

Causes

The main cause of acromegaly is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland - an adenoma, which leads to increased production of growth hormone. Less common are tumors outside the pituitary gland, which also stimulate the production of this hormone.

Symptoms

1. Enlargement of hands, feet, skull
2. Changes in facial features (thickening of lips, nose, brow ridges)
3. Sweating, headache
4. Visual impairment
5. Enlargement of internal organs
6. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension
7. In women - menstrual irregularities

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made based on clinical manifestations and examination data:

1. Blood test for growth hormone
2. MRI of the brain (to detect a pituitary tumor)
3. X-ray of hands and feet
4. Visual field examination

Treatment

The main treatment for acromegaly is removal of the pituitary tumor through surgery or radiation therapy. Drugs that suppress the production of growth hormone are also prescribed. Concomitant diseases are corrected. With timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Thus, acromegaly is a serious disease that requires timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. The key role in therapy is to eliminate the cause of hyperproduction of growth hormone.

Acromegaly: a severe endocrine disorder

Acromegaly is a severe endocrine disease that is characterized by excessive production of growth hormone (somatotropin) and disproportionate growth of skeletal bones, soft tissues and internal organs. This disease is very rare and usually develops in people aged 30-50 years. In this article we will look at the causes, symptoms and treatment of acromegaly.

Etiology and pathogenesis

Acromegaly is caused by excess production of growth hormone, which is usually caused by a pituitary adenoma. However, rarely, this disease can be caused by tumors of other locations (pancreas, lungs, ovaries, mediastinum) or hypersecretion of somatoliberin by hypothalamic tumors, ectopic tumors (carcinoid, pancreatic adenoma). In addition, some patients may have secondary dysfunction of other endocrine glands: pancreas, reproductive, thyroid and adrenal cortex.

Manifestations of the disease

Increased production of growth hormone leads to an increase in the mass of soft tissues and internal organs, increased periosteal bone growth and nitrogen retention in the body. An excess of somatotropic hormone also contributes to an increase in the function of pancreatic a-cells, their hyperplasia and then depletion of reserve capacity, which leads to the development of diabetes mellitus.

Patients with acromegaly complain of weakness, headache, joint pain, numbness in the limbs, sleep disturbances, increased sweating, impaired menstrual and reproductive function in women, decreased libido and potency in men. Changes in appearance occur slowly and, as a rule, are first noticed not by the patient, but by those around him.

As the disease progresses, specific symptoms for acromegaly appear, such as coarsening of facial features, enlargement of the brow ridges, cheek bones, lower jaw, and spaces between the teeth. The soft tissues of the face grow, the nose, lips, and ears become enlarged; the skin forms rough folds on the face and head, especially in the cheeks, forehead and back of the head. Hypertrophy of the sebaceous and sweat glands, acne, folliculitis, as well as enlargement of the arms and legs are observed, which leads to an increase in the size of shoes and gloves. Enlargement of soft tissue can lead to breathing problems, apnea and snoring, as well as the development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart failure.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of acromegaly is based on the clinical picture and the results of laboratory and instrumental studies. As a primary screening, determination of the level of growth hormone and its daily dynamics, as well as the level of somatostatin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are used. If acromegaly is suspected, an MRI of the brain is performed to identify a pituitary tumor.

Treatment

Treatment of acromegaly should be comprehensive and include surgical removal of the tumor (pituitary adenoma) and drug therapy aimed at reducing growth hormone levels and improving symptoms. Somatostatin analogues (octreotide, lanreotide) are used as drug therapy, which reduce the production of growth hormone and improve the clinical manifestations of acromegaly. In addition, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be prescribed if surgical treatment and drug therapy are ineffective.

Forecast

The prognosis of acromegaly depends on the stage of the disease, the size of the tumor and the effectiveness of treatment. With timely detection and treatment, the prognosis for patients with acromegaly is usually favorable. However, if left untreated or if therapy fails, acromegaly can lead to serious complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory problems.

acromegaly) is a rare endocrine disease characterized by excessive enlargement of bones and body tissues as a result of overproduction of growth hormone after the end of the growth period. This condition usually develops gradually and can affect various parts of the body, including bones, soft tissue and internal organs.

The main cause of acromegaly is hyperfunction of the anterior pituitary gland, a hormonal gland located at the base of the brain. In most cases, this is due to the presence of a pituitary tumor called a pituitary adenoma. This tumor stimulates the excessive release of growth hormone, which leads to accelerated growth of bones and tissues.

One of the characteristic signs of acromegaly is an increase in the size of bones, especially in the hands, feet and face. This can result in coarse facial features, thickening of the lips, nose and ears, and pockets in the skin. Patients with acromegaly may also experience changes in appearance, such as increased size of the arms and legs, thickening of the skin, and an increase in the amount of body hair.

In addition, acromegaly can cause various health problems. Uncontrolled bone growth can lead to spinal curvature, arthritis, and joint pain. Enlargement of internal organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs can cause serious functional impairment. Patients may also experience fatigue, headaches, changes in vision, and decreased sexual function.

The diagnosis of acromegaly is usually based on clinical signs and laboratory results. Measuring the levels of growth hormone and its byproducts in the blood can help confirm the diagnosis. Additional tests, such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, may be used to determine the presence of a pituitary tumor.

Treatment for acromegaly usually involves surgical removal of the pituitary tumor or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. In cases where surgery is impossible or ineffective, medications such as somatostatin analogues and growth hormone antagonists are used. Regular monitoring and treatment are important to control disease progression and improve patients' quality of life.

In conclusion, acromegaly is a rare endocrine disorder that results in excessive enlargement of the body's bones and tissues due to excess production of growth hormone. It can have serious consequences for the health of patients and requires long-term and systematic treatment. Early detection and diagnosis, as well as timely treatment, are key to achieving optimal results and improving the prognosis of patients with acromegaly.