Acromegaly: Growth Hormone–Producing Pituitary Tumors

What Is Acromegaly?

Acromegaly is caused by a pituitary tumor that produces too much growth hormone. Because it comes on gradually over years, it is often diagnosed late.

Symptoms

Enlarging hands and feet (changing ring and shoe size), coarsening facial features, a more prominent jaw, excessive sweating, joint pain, sleep apnea, and headaches. Large tumors can also cause vision problems.

How It Is Diagnosed

Blood testing for IGF-1 is the usual starting point, sometimes confirmed with a growth-hormone suppression test, along with a pituitary MRI.

Why Surgery Is Often First-Line

For most patients, minimally invasive transsphenoidal surgery to remove the tumor offers the best chance of bringing growth hormone back to normal. Medication and radiation are used when surgery does not fully control the disease.

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