Gigantism (patient information)

Gigantism
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
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Overview

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

What causes Gigantism?

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.