GIGANTISM
Definition:
A pituitary disorder where excess Growth Hormone (GH) is secreted before puberty,
leading to abnormally tall stature.
Causes:
Hypersecretion of GH during childhood (before bone growth plates fuse).
Usually caused by a tumor of acidophil cells in the anterior pituitary.
Signs & Symptoms:
1. Abnormal height (more than 7–8 feet)
o Disproportionately long limbs
2. High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia):
o Can lead to glycosuria (sugar in urine) and pituitary diabetes
o Overstimulation of pancreatic β-cells → eventual damage → diabetes mellitus
3. Headache:
o Due to pituitary tumor pressure
4. Visual problems:
o Tumor compresses optic chiasma → causes bitemporal hemianopia (loss of outer
vision in both eyes)
ACROMEGALY
Definition:
A hormonal disorder where Growth Hormone (GH) is excessively secreted in adults
(after bone growth plates have fused), causing enlargement and thickening of bones,
especially in the hands, feet, and face.
Causes:
Hypersecretion of GH in adulthood
Usually due to a tumor of acidophil cells in the anterior pituitary
Signs & Symptoms:
1. Acromegalic Face (Gorilla Face):
o Protruding supraorbital ridges
o Broad nose, thick lips, wrinkled forehead
o Prognathism (protruding lower jaw)
2. Enlarged hands and feet
3. Kyphosis – Hump in the upper back (spine curvature)
4. Thickened scalp with folds and wrinkles (like a bulldog scalp)
5. Excess body hair growth
6. Enlarged internal organs – heart, liver, lungs, spleen, thymus
7. Overactivity of thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands
8. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and sugar in urine (glucosuria) → can lead to
diabetes mellitus
9. High blood pressure (Hypertension)
10. Headache – due to tumor pressure
11. Visual problems – Bitemporal hemianopia (loss of peripheral vision)
ACROMEGALIC GIGANTISM
Definition:
A rare disorder where a person shows features of both gigantism and acromegaly.
Cause:
Hypersecretion of Growth Hormone (GH):
o Begins in childhood → causes gigantism (excess height).
o Continues into adulthood → causes acromegaly (bone thickening and organ
enlargement).
Features:
Tall stature (like gigantism)
Enlarged hands, feet, face, and organs (like acromegaly)
Occurs when GH hypersecretion continues before and after bone growth plates fuse
