Gigantism
and acromegaly are the two diseases resulting from hyper function of the
pituitary gland.
Gigantism
and acromegaly are conditions that are nearly always due to a pituitary adenoma
that is because of excessive secretion of a growth hormone called hypersomatotropism.
<span>If GH
hypersecretion begins in childhood, before closure of the epiphyses pituitary
gigantism occurs. It is a rare condition where skeletal growth velocity and
ultimate stature are increased, but little bony deformity occurs. However,
soft-tissue swelling occurs, and the peripheral nerves are enlarged. Hypogonadotropic
hypogonadism and deferred puberty is also normally present, resulting in a
eunuchoid habitus. While Acromegaly
occurs after the growth plate cartilage fuses in adulthood, it is the same
disorder of IGF-I excess but in acromegaly, an unadorned disease that morbidity
and mortality rates are high because its often diagnosed late, where the
disease is associated with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory
disorders and malignancies. </span>
