Acromegaly and giantism

Acromegaly and giantism are disturbances of the growth process affecting bone and muscle development to the point where an adult victim can attain a height of eight to nine feet and a weight of 500 pounds.

Causes
The two conditions are the result of over secretion of the growth-stimulating hormone somatotrophin by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. When the glandular disorder occurs in adulthood, it is often caused by a slowly developing tumor in the area.

Symptoms
When the pituitary oversecretion begins in childhood, the resulting condition is called giantism or gigantism. It is characterized by overgrowth of the long bones of the skeleton, and overdevelopment of the musculature and internal organs. Abnormal height and grotesquely large hands and feet are manifest before adulthood.
The onset of acromegaly occurs gradually after normal maturation of the body has taken place. The bones of the hands, feet and face becomes abnormally enlarged, and the soft tissues of the nose, ears and cheeks thicken.

Complications
In neither condition is basic intelligence affected. Giantism may be accomplished by other metabolic disturbances, and the sexual drive may either be lost entirely or abnormally intensified. Acromegaly may be complicated by disturbances in vision, by muscle pains, fatique, and weakness of sexual impulses. A significant number of adult victims develop diabetic symptoms and heart disorders.

Treatment
Hyperactivity of the pituitary gland in childhood may respond to certain types of hormone treatment. Since the onset of the condition in adulthood is usually triggered by the development of a tumor, treatment consists of radiation therapy or surgical removal, or a combination of both.