What is acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a rare chronic disorder caused by the presence of a pituitary adenoma, which results in the hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) and subsequent elevation of circulating and locally produced insulin-like growth factor-1 levels (IGF-1). The clinical presentation of acromegaly is characterized by skeletal overgrowth deformities, particularly of the hands, feet and face, cardiovascular disease, neuropathy and respiratory obstruction. If left untreated, acromegaly is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates, two- to four-times higher than those found in the general population.
