Gigantism: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Gigantism | |||
| image = [[File:Robert_Wadlow_postcard.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = [[Robert Wadlow]], the tallest person in recorded history, suffered from gigantism. | |||
| field = [[Endocrinology]] | |||
| symptoms = Excessive growth, [[tall stature]], [[headache]], [[vision problems]] | |||
| complications = [[Type 2 diabetes]], [[hypertension]], [[cardiovascular disease]] | |||
| onset = Childhood | |||
| duration = Long-term | |||
| causes = Excessive [[growth hormone]] production, often due to a [[pituitary adenoma]] | |||
| risks = [[Genetic predisposition]], [[neurofibromatosis]], [[McCune-Albright syndrome]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Blood test]] for growth hormone levels, [[MRI]] of the pituitary gland | |||
| differential = [[Acromegaly]], [[Marfan syndrome]], [[Sotos syndrome]] | |||
| treatment = [[Surgery]], [[medication]] (e.g., [[somatostatin analogs]]), [[radiation therapy]] | |||
| prognosis = Variable, depending on treatment and complications | |||
| frequency = Rare | |||
| deaths = Can be life-threatening if untreated | |||
}} | |||
'''Other names:'''Pituitary giant; Overproduction of growth hormone; Growth hormone - excess production | '''Other names:'''Pituitary giant; Overproduction of growth hormone; Growth hormone - excess production | ||
Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of [[growth hormone]] (GH) during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed ([[epiphyseal fusion]]). It causes excessive growth in height, muscles, and organs, making the child extremely large for his or her age. | Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of [[growth hormone]] (GH) during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed ([[epiphyseal fusion]]). It causes excessive growth in height, muscles, and organs, making the child extremely large for his or her age. | ||
[[File:Anna Swan with her parents.jpg|thumb | [[File:Anna Swan with her parents.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Giantess [[Anna Swan]] with her parents.]] | ||
== '''Cause''' == | == '''Cause''' == | ||
Gigantism is very rare. The most common cause of too much GH release is a noncancerous (benign) [[tumor]] of the [[pituitary gland]]. Other causes include: | Gigantism is very rare. The most common cause of too much GH release is a noncancerous (benign) [[tumor]] of the [[pituitary gland]]. Other causes include: | ||
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* If excess GH occurs after normal bone growth has stopped (end of [[puberty]]), the condition is known as [[acromegaly]]. | * If excess GH occurs after normal bone growth has stopped (end of [[puberty]]), the condition is known as [[acromegaly]]. | ||
* In some cases the disease is caused by mutations in the '''GPR101 gene'''. | * In some cases the disease is caused by mutations in the '''GPR101 gene'''. | ||
== '''Symptoms''' == | == '''Symptoms''' == | ||
The child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age. | The child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age. | ||
'''Other symptoms include:''' | '''Other symptoms include:''' | ||
* Delayed [[puberty]] | * Delayed [[puberty]] | ||
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* Weakness | * Weakness | ||
* Voice changes | * Voice changes | ||
== '''Diagnosis''' == | == '''Diagnosis''' == | ||
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the child's symptoms. | The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the child's symptoms. | ||
'''Laboratory tests that may be ordered include:''' | '''Laboratory tests that may be ordered include:''' | ||
* [[Cortisol]] | * [[Cortisol]] | ||
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* [[Thyroid hormone]] | * [[Thyroid hormone]] | ||
* Imaging tests, such as [[CT]] or [[MRI]] scan of the head, also may be ordered to check for a pituitary tumor. | * Imaging tests, such as [[CT]] or [[MRI]] scan of the head, also may be ordered to check for a pituitary tumor. | ||
== '''Treatment''' == | == '''Treatment''' == | ||
For pituitary tumors, surgery can cure many cases. | For pituitary tumors, surgery can cure many cases. | ||
When surgery cannot completely remove the [[tumor]], medicines are used to block or reduce GH release or prevent GH from reaching target tissues. | When surgery cannot completely remove the [[tumor]], medicines are used to block or reduce GH release or prevent GH from reaching target tissues. | ||
Sometimes [[radiation]] treatment is used to decrease the size of the tumor after surgery. | Sometimes [[radiation]] treatment is used to decrease the size of the tumor after surgery. | ||
== '''Prognosis''' == | == '''Prognosis''' == | ||
Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting GH production. | Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting GH production. | ||
Early treatment can reverse many of the changes caused by GH excess. | Early treatment can reverse many of the changes caused by GH excess. | ||
'''Possible Complications''' | '''Possible Complications''' | ||
[[Surgery]] and [[radiation]] treatment may lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones. This can cause any of the following conditions: | [[Surgery]] and [[radiation]] treatment may lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones. This can cause any of the following conditions: | ||
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* [[Hypogonadism]] (body's sex glands produce little or no hormones) | * [[Hypogonadism]] (body's sex glands produce little or no hormones) | ||
* [[Hypothyroidism]] (thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone) | * [[Hypothyroidism]] (thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone) | ||
== '''Prevention''' == | == '''Prevention''' == | ||
Gigantism cannot be prevented. Early treatment may prevent the disease from getting worse and help avoid complications. | Gigantism cannot be prevented. Early treatment may prevent the disease from getting worse and help avoid complications. | ||
{{Growth disorder}} | {{Growth disorder}} | ||
[[Category:Growth disorders]] | [[Category:Growth disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Human height]] | [[Category:Human height]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:22, 7 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Gigantism | |
|---|---|
| File:Robert Wadlow postcard.jpg | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Excessive growth, tall stature, headache, vision problems |
| Complications | Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease |
| Onset | Childhood |
| Duration | Long-term |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Excessive growth hormone production, often due to a pituitary adenoma |
| Risks | Genetic predisposition, neurofibromatosis, McCune-Albright syndrome |
| Diagnosis | Blood test for growth hormone levels, MRI of the pituitary gland |
| Differential diagnosis | Acromegaly, Marfan syndrome, Sotos syndrome |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Surgery, medication (e.g., somatostatin analogs), radiation therapy |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Variable, depending on treatment and complications |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | Can be life-threatening if untreated |
Other names:Pituitary giant; Overproduction of growth hormone; Growth hormone - excess production
Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormone (GH) during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed (epiphyseal fusion). It causes excessive growth in height, muscles, and organs, making the child extremely large for his or her age.
Cause[edit]
Gigantism is very rare. The most common cause of too much GH release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:
- Genetic disease that affects the skin color (pigmentation) and causes benign tumors of the skin, heart, and endocrine (hormone) system (Carney complex)
- Genetic disease that affects the bones and skin pigmentation (McCune-Albright syndrome)
- Genetic disease in which one or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or form a tumor (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 or type 4)
- Genetic disease that forms pituitary tumors
- Disease in which tumors form on the nerves of the brain and spine (neurofibromatosis)
- If excess GH occurs after normal bone growth has stopped (end of puberty), the condition is known as acromegaly.
- In some cases the disease is caused by mutations in the GPR101 gene.
Symptoms[edit]
The child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age. Other symptoms include:
- Delayed puberty
- Double vision or difficulty with side (peripheral) vision
- Very prominent forehead (frontal bossing) and a prominent jaw
- Gaps between the teeth
- Headache
- Increased sweating
- Irregular periods (menstruation)
- Joint pain
- Large hands and feet with thick fingers and toes
- Release of breast milk
- Sleep problems
- Thickening of the facial features
- Weakness
- Voice changes
Diagnosis[edit]
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the child's symptoms. Laboratory tests that may be ordered include:
- Cortisol
- Estradiol (girls)
- GH suppression test
- Prolactin
- Insulin-like growth factor-I
- Testosterone (boys)
- Thyroid hormone
- Imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scan of the head, also may be ordered to check for a pituitary tumor.
Treatment[edit]
For pituitary tumors, surgery can cure many cases. When surgery cannot completely remove the tumor, medicines are used to block or reduce GH release or prevent GH from reaching target tissues. Sometimes radiation treatment is used to decrease the size of the tumor after surgery.
Prognosis[edit]
Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting GH production. Early treatment can reverse many of the changes caused by GH excess. Possible Complications Surgery and radiation treatment may lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones. This can cause any of the following conditions:
- Adrenal insufficiency (adrenal glands do not produce enough of their hormones)
- Diabetes insipidus (extreme thirst and excessive urination; in rare cases)
- Hypogonadism (body's sex glands produce little or no hormones)
- Hypothyroidism (thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone)
Prevention[edit]
Gigantism cannot be prevented. Early treatment may prevent the disease from getting worse and help avoid complications.
| Growth and height disorder due to endocrine malfunction |
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NIH genetic and rare disease info[edit]
Gigantism is a rare disease.
| Rare and genetic diseases | ||||||
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Rare diseases - Gigantism
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