What is acromegaly and what causes it?
Acromegaly is a condition where you make too much growth hormone. In over 99 in 100 cases, the excess hormone comes from a small tumour (growth) in the pituitary gland. This is a benign (non-cancerous) growth called a 'pituitary adenoma'. The adenoma may grow up to 1-2 cm across. However, as it is benign it does not spread to other areas of the body. The abnormal cells in the adenoma make lots of growth hormone. It is not known why the adenoma develops.
Rarely, acromegaly is caused by an excess of GHRH which is made in the hypothalamus. This stimulates the cells in the pituitary to make too much growth hormone. Very rarely, other tumours in the body can make growth hormone.
Who gets acromegaly?
Acromegaly is rare. About 4 or 5 people in a million develop acromegaly each year in the UK. It mainly affects adults between the ages of 30 and 50. Men and women are equally affected. Rarely, it affects children.
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