Understanding Acromegaly Acromegaly is a chronically disfiguring, debilitating and life-threatening hormonal disorder, caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone, which generally results from a pituitary tumor. It is characterized by physical changes to the face, hands and feet that occur over extended periods of time. Acromegaly affects more than 19,000 Americans with an equal frequency between both sexes.
Growth hormone is a key factor in body growth and organ development.
Its hypersecretion can result in overgrowth of body parts and enlargement of various organs. The consequences of this can result in complications associated with increased morbidity and mortality. People with acromegaly typically do not seek treatment for the physical changes, but rather for other symptoms such as fatigue, debilitating headache, joint pain, excessive perspiration, visual disturbances, amenorrhea or impotence. Diagnosis Diagnosis of acromegaly can often be missed for up to 10 years because signs and symptoms develop gradually, and because people do not seek treatment for the physical manifestations. Typically, people with acromegaly are more likely to seek treatment for symptoms mentioned earlier.