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Gigantism - Overview

Alternative Names

Giantism

Definition of Gigantism:

Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The most common cause of too much growth hormone release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:

Carney complex
McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS)
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1)
Neurofibromatosis

If excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as acromegaly.

Gigantism is very rare.

Endocrine glands

Reviewed last on: 3/18/2008
Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Melmed 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.

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