Acromegaly

Alternative names:

hyperpituitarism

Definition:

A chronic metabolic disorder that results in gradual enlargement of tissues including the bones of the face, jaw, hands, feet, and skull.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Acromegaly, a condition caused by increased secretion of growth hormone after normal growth has been completed, occurs in adults. When excessive secretion of growth hormone occurs in children before normal growth has been completed, it causes gigantism rather than acromegaly. The cause of the increased hormone secretion is usually a benign pituitary tumor. The pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain, controls the production and release of several different hormones. There are no known risk factors other than prior history of a pituitary tumor. Acromegaly occurs in 6 out of 100,000 people.