Gigantism is a condition where excessive growth hormone levels during adolescence result in abnormally large growth and size. The main symptoms are being significantly taller than average, delayed puberty, and double vision or impaired side vision. It is usually caused by a noncancerous tumor on the pituitary gland that excessively produces growth hormone. Treatment options include medications to reduce growth hormone levels, radiation therapy, or surgical removal of the tumor.

1. Gigantism
Table 4
Kevin Knox, Kaley Miller,
Hailey Ray, Ashley Spaulding

2. W, J. (2009, Janu 21). Double vision. Retrieved from http://www.jeffreymd.com/2009/01/31/double-vision/
Symptoms
• Pretty big people (usually two
standard deviations above
normal height should be)
• Delayed puberty Vos, A., & Barnes, K.
(2011). Gigantism.
Retrieved from
• Double vision or difficulty http://misskay03.edu.gl
ogster.com/gigantism
/
with side vision
W, J. (2009, Janu
21). Double vision.
Retrieved from
http://www.jeffrey
md.com/2009/01/3
1/double-vision/

3. • Headaches
• Increased sweating
• Irregular periods (females)
• Large hands and feet with
large fingers and toes

4. • Release of breast milk
• Thickening of facial
features
• Weakness
• Bulging forehead

5. Causes
• ***Excess of growth
hormone ***(Acromegaly)
• Most commonly:
Noncancerous(adenoma)
tumor of the pituitary gland

6. • Carney complex

7. Possible solutions
• Medications that
reduce growth
hormone release
such as somatostain
analogs (growth
inhibiting
hormones)
• Dopamine agonoists
but they are the
least effective

8. Radiation
therapy can be
used to bring the
growth hormone
level back to
normal but it
take 5 to 10 years
to take full effect
and often effects
other pituitary
hormones

9. • Removal of tumor on pituitary through
endonasal surgery (through nose)

10. Exams and Tests
• CT or MRI scans
-CT uses x-rays
-MRI uses magnets to align
protons and take an MDM
vector (fancy picture)

11. Exams and Tests
• CT or MRI scans
-CT uses x-rays
-MRI uses magnets to align
protons and take an MDM
vector (fancy picture) CT
MRI

12. • Failure to suppress serum growth hormone
(GH) levels after an oral glucose challenge
(maximum 75g)
• Fancy way of saying they get you hopped up on
sugar and see if your body can suppress growth
hormone like a normal person would

13. Miscellaneous
• Female to male ratio
of 1:2 (twice as
common in males)
• Commonly occurs
with Acromegaly

14. Fact Sources
• Eckman, S. (2009, 11 23). Gigantism. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002157/
• Goyal, S. (n.d.). Gigantism. Retrieved from
http://www.hxbenefit.com/gigantism-definition-symptoms-causes-
treatment-and-acromegaly.html
• gigantism 2012. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Retrieved 23 February 2012, from http://school.eb.com/eb/article-
9036788
• drug. ( 2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from
http://school.eb.com/eb/article-10969
• Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition, s.v. "drug,"
accessed February 23, 2012, http://school.eb.com/eb/article-10969.
• drug 2012. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Retrieved 23 February 2012, from http://school.eb.com/eb/article-
10969
• acromegaly. ( 2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from
http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9003588