About Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a rare chronic and insidious hormonal disorder that occurs when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH). It most commonly affects middle-aged adults and may lead to premature death.
Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease are the most serious health consequences of acromegaly. In addition, patients with acromegaly are at an increased risk of developing colon polyps, which can become cancerous.
The prevalence of acromegaly is approximately 60 cases per million population, and the incidence is 3.3 new cases per million per year.1
The word acromegaly comes from the Greek words for "extremities" (acro) and "great" (megaly), because one of the most common symptoms of this condition is abnormal growth of the hands and feet.
