GIGANTISM
Size always matters!
WHAT IS GIGANTISM?
CAUSES OF GIGANTISM?
Gigantism is caused by an overproduction of growth hormone (GH) that occurs in childhood before the bone growth plates have closed. Diseases, disorders and conditions that can cause GH overproduction leading to gigantism include:
Benign tumors of the pituitary gland, which press on the pituitary gland and cause excessive GH production. This is the most common cause of gigantism.
Carney complex (rare gene mutation that causes a high risk of certain tumors including pituitary adenoma)
McCune-Albright syndrome (syndrome caused by a gene mutation)
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (inherited disorder that causes tumors to form in endocrine glands and makes them hyperactive)
Neurofibromatosis (genetic disorder causing tumor growth)
Robert Wadlow
Tallest man in the world with a height of 8 ft 11 inches
Andre the Giant
French actor and a wrestler who suffered Gigantism
Yao Defen
World's Tallest woman with a height of 7 ft 8 inches
SYMPTOMS
- Unusually large jaw, prominent forehead, and thick facial features.
- Delayed Puberty.
Excessive sweat production.
Headaches.
Irregular menstrual periods in teens.
Production of breast milk.
Double vision, problems with peripheral vision.
- Weakness and tingling in the arms and legs due to enlarging tissues compressing nerves.
- Enlarged hands, fingers, toes, head or tongue.
TREATMENT
Gigantism is mainly treated through controlling the GH( growth hormone) release or blocking the effect of growth hormone.Treatment of Gigantism mainly involves medicines, surgery and radiation therapy
MEDICINES: Dopamine drugs such as Cabergoline and Mesylate are normally used to lower release of growth hormones. These are, however, less effective than medicines like Pegvisomant or somatostatin analogs (Lanreotide or Octreotide). Pegvisomant obstructs the side effects of growth hormone release.
SURGERY: Surgery for treatment of Gigantism is done in cases where tests reveal the presence of a Pituitary tumor. The aim of operation is to remove the tumor and reduce release of growth hormones.
RADIATION THERAPY:Radiation therapy is successful in making growth hormone levels normal. However, this method gives rise to various side effects like obesity, emotional alterations and learning disabilities in children. Moreover, it takes anywhere from five to ten years for the effects to show up. It also results in reduced levels of other pituitary hormones. This is the reason why it is kept as a last resort if all other ways of treatment fail.
COMPLICATIONS:
- Delayed puberty
- Difficulty functioning in everyday life due to large size and unusual features
- Diminished vision or total vision loss
- Embarrassment , isolation, difficulties with relationships and other social problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Severe chronic head aches
- Sleep apnea- difficulties in breathing while sleeping
SURGERY
For removing Tumour
MEDICINES
Cabergoline
DOPAMINE DRUGS
Which reduce growth hormone release