Acromegaly: Still a Hard-to-Recognize Disease
Objective of the Review: To raise awareness about the symptoms and diagnosis of acromegaly, as well as treatment options for this condition. Key Points: Acromegaly is a chronic disease characterized by prolonged increased secretions of growth hormone: this is associated with excessive production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). A pituitary tumor (GH-producing tumor) is the main cause of this disease. The main clinical manifestations caused by hormonal disturbances include disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism, joint pains, paresthesia in the upper extremities, high blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, sleep apnea syndrome, headache, visual disturbances, changes in dental occlusion, and/or appearance of diastema, intestinal polyposis, weakness, fatigue, and excessive sweating. When patients have two of these symptoms, they should be screened for acromegaly. Measuring IGF-1 levels should be the first step. When left untreated, acromegaly substantially shortens life expectancy. Timely neurosurgery and/or treatment with somatostatin analogues reduce mortality and improve patients' quality of life. Conclusion: Physicians of all specialties should be vigilant for signs of acromegaly. This will help to detect it more rapidly and to administer appropriate treatment at earlier stages.