A Comprehensive Review on Acromegaly: A Complicated Endocrine Disorder

Abstract

Acromegaly is a disease or disorder that is caused by the hyper secretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary, that results in the excessive growth of tissues of body and dysfunctioning of other metabolic processes. Acromegaly is usually caused by the non-cancerous (benign) tumour and middle-aged people are mostly affected by it. Patients with acromegaly have pain in the joints, physical deformities, deepening of voice, bulging chest, protruding lower jaw, large feet and hands, oily skin, vision disorder or erectile dysfunction (impotence). Acromegaly occurs after the fusion of growth plates while gigantism occurs before the fusion of growth plates. This article reviews the pathophysiology and management of acromegaly as well as it highlights the etiology and epidemiology of acromegaly.