Did you know to treat Gigantism surgery is the treatment of choice and can cure many cases?

Did you know that Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed?
 Did you know that the most common cause of too much growth hormone release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland?

Did you know that Gigantism is also caused by?

• Carney complex
• McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS)
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1)
• Neurofibromatosis

Did you know that if excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as Acromegaly?

Did you know that Gigantism is very rare?

Did you know that with Gigantism the child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs?  

Other symptoms include:

• Delayed puberty
• Double vision or difficulty with side (peripheral) vision
• Frontal bossing and a prominent jaw
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Irregular periods (menstruation)
• Large hands and feet with thick fingers and toes
• Release of breast milk
• Thickening of the facial features
• Weakness

Did you know to treat Gigantism surgery is the treatment of choice and can cure many cases?

Did you know that in situations in which surgery cannot completely remove the tumor, medication is the treatment of choice?


Did you know that the most effective medications are somatostatin analogs (such as octreotide or long-acting lanreotide), which reduce growth hormone release?

Dopamine agonists (bromocriptine mesylate, cabergoline) have also been used to reduce growth hormone release, but these are generally less effective. Pegvisomant, a medication that blocks the effect of growth hormone, may be used.

Did you know that radiation therapy has also been used to bring growth hormone levels to normal,  however, it can take 5 - 10 years for the full effects to be seen and almost always leads to low levels of other pituitary hormones?

Did you know that radiation has also been linked to learning disabilities, obesity, and emotional changes in children?


Did you know that most experts will use radiation only if surgery and medication fail?

Did you know that Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting growth hormone production.?

• Delayed puberty

Did you know that surgery and radiation can both lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones, which can cause:

• Adrenal insufficiency
• Diabetes insipidus (rarely)
• Hypogonadism
• Hypothyroidism

Now if you didn't know, now you know...

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