A rare disease characterized by abnormal enlargement of the skull, jaw, hands, feet, and also of the internal organs. It is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland at the base of the brain and is the result of a pituitary tumour. A tumour that develops before puberty results in gigantism. Acromegaly is diagnosed by measuring blood levels of growth hormone, followed by CT scanning or MRI.
Acromegaly |
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