Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormoneduring childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.
Alternative NamesGiantism
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe most common cause of too much growth hormone release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:
If excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as acromegaly.
Gigantism is very rare.
SymptomsThe child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age.
Other symptoms include:
Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including:
In pituitary tumors with well-defined borders, surgery is the treatment of choice and can cure many cases.
For situations in which surgery cannot completely remove the tumor, medication is the treatment of choice. The most effective medications are somatostatin analogs (such as octreotide or long-acting lanreotide), which reduce growth hormone release.
Dopamine agonists (bromocriptine mesylate, cabergoline) have also been used to reduce growth hormone release, but these are generally less effective. Pegvisomant, a medication that blocks the effect of growth hormone, may be used.
Radiation therapy has also been used to bring growth hormone levels to normal. However, it can take 5 - 10 years for the full effects to be seen and almost always leads to low levels of other pituitary hormones.
Radiation has also been linked to learning disabilities, obesity, and emotional changes in children. Most experts will use radiation only if surgery and medication fail.
Expectations (prognosis)Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting growth hormoneproduction.
ComplicationsSurgery and radiation can both lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones, which can cause:
Call your health care provider if your child has signs of excessive growth.
ReferencesMelmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.
Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormoneduring childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.
Alternative NamesGiantism
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe most common cause of too much growth hormone release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:
If excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as acromegaly.
Gigantism is very rare.
SymptomsThe child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age.
Other symptoms include:
Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including:
In pituitary tumors with well-defined borders, surgery is the treatment of choice and can cure many cases.
For situations in which surgery cannot completely remove the tumor, medication is the treatment of choice. The most effective medications are somatostatin analogs (such as octreotide or long-acting lanreotide), which reduce growth hormone release.
Dopamine agonists (bromocriptine mesylate, cabergoline) have also been used to reduce growth hormone release, but these are generally less effective. Pegvisomant, a medication that blocks the effect of growth hormone, may be used.
Radiation therapy has also been used to bring growth hormone levels to normal. However, it can take 5 - 10 years for the full effects to be seen and this almost always leads to low levels of other pituitary hormones.
Radiation has also been linked to learning disabilities, obesity, and emotional changes in children. Most experts will use radiation only if surgery and medication fail.
Expectations (prognosis)Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting growth hormoneproduction.
ComplicationsSurgery and radiation can both lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones, which can cause:
Call your health care provider if your child has signs of excessive growth.
ReferencesMelmed S, Kleinberg D. Pituitary masses and tumors. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 9.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/11/2011
Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Enormous
The official definition for the word gigantism is "unusual or abnormal largeness."
No, gigantism is not genetic. Gigantism is caused by a malfunction of the growth hormone so it has nothing to do with your parents or grandparents.
"Gigantism" is the common, non-technical, everyday name for "macrosomia."
It has never been revealed if Peter Croch suffers from gigantism.
The amount of hormone that is present in gigantism is HYPER because you can choose either ( HYPO or HYPER) . Because the gigantism is overproduction of growth hormones during childhood or adolescence.
Edumacation
yes
alot
He had gigantism.
Eurasia
Pituitary gigantism is very common among several animals. This is when the hormone regulation results in a larger than normal animal.
Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.