What are the treatments for acromegaly and gigantism?

Notify me of new answers

ANSWERS: 2

<div class="section1">
The first step in treatment of acromegaly is removal of all or part of the pituitary adenoma. Removal requires surgery, usually performed by entering the skull through the nose. While this surgery can cause rapid improvement of many acromegaly symptoms, most patients will also require additional treatment with medication. Bromocriptine (Parlodel) is a medication that can be taken by mouth, while octreotide (Sandostatin) must be injected every eight hours. Both of these medications are helpful in reducing GH production, but must often be taken for life and produce their own unique side effects. Some patients who cannot undergo surgery are treated with radiation therapy to the pituitary in an attempt to shrink the adenoma. Radiating the pituitary may take up to 10 years, however, and may also injure/destroy other normal parts of the pituitary.

Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.";

<div class="section1"> <p>The first step in treatment of acromegaly is removal of all or part of the pituitary adenoma. Removal requires surgery, usually performed by entering the skull through the nose. While this surgery can cause rapid improvement of many acromegaly symptoms, most patients will also require additional treatment with medication. Bromocriptine (Parlodel) is a medication that can be taken by mouth, while octreotide (Sandostatin) must be injected every eight hours. Both of these medications are helpful in reducing GH production, but must often be taken for life and produce their own unique side effects. Some patients who cannot undergo surgery are treated with <i>radiation therapy</i> to the pituitary in an attempt to shrink the adenoma. Radiating the pituitary may take up to 10 years, however, and may also injure/destroy other normal parts of the pituitary.</p> </div><p><i>Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.</i>";

No comments
| Permalink | Share | 22

0

Gari

Gigantism is excessive pathological stature growth caused by a benign tumor pressing against the pituitary gland in the brain. What causes acromegaly is the same. The only difference is that acromegaly is results in the enlargement of the extremites rather than growth in height because acromegaly only happens after the epiphesal (growth plates) of the long bones has sealed--meaning no further growth in height.

No comments

RELATED QUESTIONS

RELATED TOPICS

ABOUT ANSWERBAG