2. INTRODUCTION
• caused by excess growth hormone (GH) secretion from a pituitary
tumor
• usually a macroadenoma
• GH stored and secreted by somatotropic cells within the lateral wings
of the anterior pituitary gland
• Excess GH in children leads to Gigantism
• Excess GH in adults is leads to Acromegaly
6. Investigations
• Plasma GH > 0.5 μg/L
• IGF-1 is also elevated
• Prolactin concentrations are elevated in about 30% of patients due to co-
secretion of prolactin from the tumor
7. Treatment
• Aim: Normalize serum GH and IGF-1
• Somatostatin analogues- Octreotide, lanreotide or pasireotide
• Pegvisomant is a peptide GH receptor antagonist administered by
daily self-injection
(Trans-sphenoidal)
(Less eff)