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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Tests CT
MRI
Prolactin levels
GH testing
Insulin

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

8. Pictures

9. References
Gigantism. (n.d.). PubMed. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from
Gigantism. (n.d.). You&Your Hormones. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from
Gigantism and Acromegaly. (n.d.).Medscape Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from
Human Growth Hormone (hGH). (n.d.).Human Growth Hormone (hGH). Retrieved November 21, 2012, from