Excessive growth (especially in height), resulting from overproduction of growth hormone during childhood or adolescence by a tumour of the pituitary gland (see pituitary tumours). Untreated, the tumour may compress other hormone-producing cells in the pituitary gland, causing symptoms of hormone deficiency (see hypopituitarism). The condition may be treated with drugs such as bromocriptine that block the release of growth hormone, or by surgery or radiotherapy to remove or destroy the tumour. See also acromegaly.
Gigantism |
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