Gigantism Disease

What is Gigantism?

Gigantism is a very rare condition that occurs during childhood, in which there is extreme 

bone, muscle and organ growth. Gigantism is caused by an overproduction of growth 

hormone (GH) that occurs before a child’s bone growth plates have closed. This results in 
excessive growth and abnormally tall height. People with gigantism generally have very 
large hands, fingers, toes and heads. They also have changes in related characteristics, 
including coarse skin, excessive sweat production, and a very deep voice. They may have 
enlarged internal organs, such as the heart, kidneys, brain and tongue. This can cause 
complications, including high blood pressure, severe headaches, sleep apnea, diabetes, 
diminished vision, and heart failure. 

Causes

• Pituitary tumor - Growth hormone producing tumors
• Wiedemann Opitz syndrome - Gigantism
• Pituitary
• Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (MAS syn)
• Gigantism
• Weaver syndrome (Marshall-Smith)
• Simpson dysmorphia syndrome
• Sclerosteosis - gigantism
• Cortical hyperostosis-syndactyly - gigantism
• Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
• Cerebral gigantism of childhood (Sotos)
• Acromegaly (Gigantism)

Symptoms

Gigantism is characterized by extreme growth. Children with gigantism are very tall for their age and may also have the following conditions:

• Enlarged hands, fingers, toes, head or tongue
• Excessive sweat production
• Headaches
• Irregular menstrual periods in teens
• Late onset of puberty
• Obesity
• Production of breast milk (galactorrhea)
• Unusually large jaw, prominent forehead, and thick facial features
• Vision distortion, such as double vision and problems with peripheral vision
• Weakness and tingling in the arms and legs due to enlarging tissues compressing nerves

Medical treatments of gigantism

Medications may be used to reduce GH release, block the effects of GH, or prevent growth in stature. They include:

• Dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine mesylate (Cycloset, Parlodel) and cabergoline (Dostinex), which reduce
• GH releaseGH antagonist, pegvisomant (Somavert), which blocks the effects of GH
• Sex hormone therapy, such as estrogen and testosterone, which may inhibit the growth of long bones
• Somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide (Sandostatin) and long-acting lanreotide (Somatuline Depot), which reduce GH release

Other treatments of gigantism

Other treatments of gigantism include:

• Radiation of the pituitary gland to regulate GH. This is generally considered the least desirable treatment option because of its limited effectiveness and side effects that can include obesity, emotional impairment, and learning disabilities
• Surgery to remove a pituitary tumor, which is the treatment of choice for well-defined pituitary tumors

Sources

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/g/gigantism/treatments.htm

http://www.localhealth.com/article/gigantism/treatments