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Gigantism. By: Chris Baker, Iyoma Edache, Victoria Sendanyoye. About Gigantism. Gigantism: a condition characterized by excessive growth and height. It is caused by too much growth hormone release due to a benign tumor on the pituitary gland
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Gigantism By: Chris Baker, Iyoma Edache, Victoria Sendanyoye
About Gigantism • Gigantism: a condition characterized by excessive growth and height. • It is caused by too much growth hormone release due to a benigntumor on the pituitary gland • It is an extremely rare condition with only about 100 cases ever been reported • People with this condition can grow as tall as 7ft - 8ft
Symptoms • Excessive muscle, organ and height growth • Delayed puberty • Menstrual disorder in women • Impotence in men • Double vision or difficulty with peripheral vision • Thickening of facial features • Diabetes • Hypertension
Gigantism and the Pituitary Gland • Caused by a benign adenoma(non-cancerous tumor) • The adenoma can be small(micro-adenoma) or large (macro adenoma) • In gigantism, they are large an invade nearby brain tissue • This tumor causes hyperpituitarism
Possible Complications • Delayed puberty • Adrenal insufficiency • Diabetes mellitus (rarely) • Hypogonadism • Hypothyroidism
Tests • CT • MRI • Prolactin levels • GH testing • Insulin
Treatments • Surgery: • Removal of benign tumor • Medication: • To prevent tumor growth and to reduce GH production • Radiation: • To kill the tumor cells
References • Gigantism. (n.d.). PubMed. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002157/ • Gigantism. (n.d.). You&Your Hormones. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from www.yourhormones.info/endocrine_conditions/gigantism.aspx • Gigantism and Acromegaly. (n.d.).Medscape Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/925446-overview • Human Growth Hormone (hGH). (n.d.).Human Growth Hormone (hGH). Retrieved November 21, 2012, from http://hgh.la/