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Gigantism

Pituitary giant; Overproduction of growth hormone; Growth hormone - excess production

Gigantism is abnormal growth due to an excess of growth hormone (GH) during childhood.

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Endocrine glands

Causes

Gigantism is very rare. The most common cause of too much GH release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:

If excess GH occurs after normal bone growth has stopped (end of puberty), the condition is known as acromegaly.

Symptoms

The 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:

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the child's symptoms.

Laboratory tests that may be ordered include:

Imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scan of the head, also may be ordered to check for a pituitary tumor.

Treatment

For pituitary tumors, surgery can cure many cases.

When surgery cannot completely remove the tumor, medicines are used to block or reduce GH release or prevent GH from reaching target tissues.

Sometimes radiation treatment is used to decrease the size of the tumor after surgery.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Pituitary surgery is usually successful in limiting GH production.

Early treatment can reverse many of the changes caused by GH excess. Long-term effects on bones, joints, and the heart are common.

Possible Complications

Surgery and radiation treatment may lead to low levels of other pituitary hormones. This can cause any of the following conditions:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if your child has signs of excessive growth.

Prevention

Gigantism cannot be prevented. Early treatment may prevent the disease from getting worse and help avoid complications.

Related Information

Growth hormone test
Long bones
Tumor
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I
McCune-Albright syndrome
Acromegaly

References

Katznelson L, Laws ER Jr, Melmed S, et al; Endocrine Society. Acromegaly: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(11):3933-3951. PMID: 25356808 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25356808/.

Melmed S. Acromegaly. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 6.

Melmed S. Pituitary masses and tumors. In: Melmed S, Auchus, RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.

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Review Date: 5/12/2023  

Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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