Medical Stuff~ Hyperfunction

GiGanTisM

CAUSES:

Increase in growth hormone before adolescence and before the union of

epiphysis with the shaft as the result of acidophilic adenoma.

CHARACTERS:

1) Symmetrical over growth of all bones,so that the patient becomes

taller than normal(200-210cm) with normal proportion

(span=height,vertex to symphysis=symphysis to heel)

2) Symmetrical over growth of all soft tissue ,splanchnomegaly and

muscle at first strong while later on very weak due to over stretch.There

is increased secretion of 4-hydroxy proline in urine which is indicator of

excessive soft tissue growth

3) Hyperglycemia,glucosuria and in about 10% diabetes mellitus

eventually develops

4) Hypogonadism due to pressure on basophil secreting gonadotropins.

5) Ends by panhypopituitarism leading to death (due to destruction of all

cells of pituitary)

TREATMENT:

Microsurgical removal of the tumor or by radiation of pituitary gland.