GIGANTISM

WHAT IS IT?

• Giganticism is a condition described by excessive growth and height significantly above average.
• This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for their age.
• Some symptoms are delayed puberty, double vision, increased sweating, weakness.
• The most common cause is a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland.
• A CT or MRI scan of the head will show the pituitary tumor if you have Giganticism.

HOW COMMON IS IT?

• Giganticsm is a vey rare condition that only occurs in children.
• About 100 cases have been reported in the United States.
• It has been reported to occure at a female-to-male ration of 1:2.

HOW DOES SOMEONE GET IT?

• Gigantism takes place when the pituitary gland grows a tumor.
• It then begins to produce a very large amount of growth hormone
• Due to the excessive amount of growth hormone results in excesssive growth.

WHAT IS GOING WRONG?

• The metabolic rate is usually 20% above normal.
• Usually hyperglycemia is present, and eventually leads to diabetes.
• If the pituitary becomes overactive after growth is complete, its called Acromegaly.
• Your organs stay the same size as your body size increases, putting more strain on your organs.

CAN IT BE TREATED?

• The most effective way is to remove the pituitary tumor through surgery.
• If the tumor is not possible to remove, the patient must resort to medication.
• Some drugs such as Somatostain and Octeroide reduce the release of growth hormone.
• You can also have radiation therapy done, however, it takes a long time to control.
• Doctors will also prescribe Dopamine to reduce the hormone level.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR FAMILY?

• In the long run, it involves alot of medical follow-ups to monitor the hormones.
• You must be sure the tumor doesn't grow larger and screening for other problems is required.
• Everyday activities such as clothes shopping, riding in cars, shoe shopping is more difficult.
• The life expectancy is lower than normal, but cannot be predicted and varies between people.

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WORKS CITED

• www.hxbenefit.com/gigantism-definition-symptoms-causes-treatment-and-acrome...
• www.yourhormones.info/endocrine_conditions/gigantism.aspx
• www.healthline.com/health/gigantism