Gigantism
Also Known as Giantism
What is Giantism?
Robert Wadlow
The worlds tallest men: Robert Wadlow (R) standing beside his father (L). His height was 8 Ft 11 inches.
Gigantism in Animals
Rabbit with Gigantism.
Woman Having Gigantism
Women with Gigantism (R) sitting beside a regular women(L)
How is Gigantism Caused?
Symptoms of Gigantism
1) Delayed puberty
2) Double vision or difficulty with side (peripheral) vision
3) Weakness
4) Headache
5) Increased sweating
6) Irregular periods (menstruation)
7) Large hands and feet with thick fingers and toes
8) Release of breast milk
9) Thickening of the facial features
10) Big Head and Feet
Treatment
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.
Medicines
Caroline
Surgery
For removing tumor
Radiation Therapy
Reduces Production of Growth Hermon