By: Chris Baker, Iyoma Edache, Victoria Sendanyoye Gigantism By: Chris Baker, Iyoma Edache, Victoria Sendanyoye

About Gigantism Gigantism: a condition characterized by excessive growth and height. It is caused by too much growth hormone release due to a benign tumor on the pituitary gland It is an extremely rare condition with only about 100 cases ever been reported People with this condition can grow as tall as 7ft - 8ft

Symptoms Excessive muscle, organ and height growth Delayed puberty Menstrual disorder in women Impotence in men Double vision or difficulty with peripheral vision Thickening of facial features Diabetes Hypertension

Gigantism and the Pituitary Gland Caused by a benign adenoma(non-cancerous tumor) The adenoma can be small(micro-adenoma) or large (macro adenoma) In gigantism, they are large an invade nearby brain tissue This tumor causes hyperpituitarism

Possible Complications Delayed puberty Adrenal insufficiency Diabetes mellitus (rarely) Hypogonadism Hypothyroidism

Tests CT MRI Prolactin levels GH testing Insulin

Treatments Surgery: Medication: Radiation: Removal of benign tumor To prevent tumor growth and to reduce GH production Radiation: To kill the tumor cells

Pictures

References Gigantism. (n.d.). PubMed. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002157/ Gigantism. (n.d.). You&Your Hormones. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from www.yourhormones.info/endocrine_conditions/gigantism.aspx Gigantism and Acromegaly. (n.d.).Medscape Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/925446-overview Human Growth Hormone (hGH). (n.d.).Human Growth Hormone (hGH). Retrieved November 21, 2012, from http://hgh.la/