When too much growth hormone is secreted that augments the growth of muscle, bones, and connective tissue in childhood or adolescence before the end of puberty, the condition is called Gigantism.

1. Gigantism

2. Gigantism
Our body’s pituitary gland secretes growth
hormone (GH) which is responsible for overall body
development during childhood. When too much
growth hormone is secreted that augments the growth
of muscle, bones and connective tissue in childhood
or adolescence before the end of puberty, the
condition is called Gigantism (Endocrine disorder).
The result is an increase in height and formation of
additional soft tissues. Some individuals may achieve
a height in excess of eight feet.

3. Causes of Gigantism
In most of the cases, non-cancerous pituitary gland tumor
is behind gigantism. Located at the base of the brain,
pituitary gland makes hormones that control body
temperature, metabolism growth, sexual development and
urine production. Other causes of gigantism are:
 McCune-Albright syndrome is a disorder that
causes unusual growth of bone tissues, gland
irregularities and patches of light-brown skin
 Carney complex is a hereditary condition which
cancerous or non-cancerous endocrine tumors and spots
of darker skin
 Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is also a hereditary
condition which cause tumors in the
pancreas, parathyroid glands and pituitary gland
 Neurofibromatosis is a hereditary disease that causes
tumors in the nervous system.

4. Symptoms
Your child is suffering from gigantism if he/she is much
taller than other children of the same age. Moreover, some
parts of the body may be visibly bigger than other parts.
Common signs of gigantism include large hands and feet,
thick toes and fingers, a bulging jaw and forehead, and
improper facial features. Children suffering from
gigantism may also suffer from large heads, lips, or
tongues. The symptoms of gigantism depend on the size
of the pituitary gland tumor. Some children may
experience vision problems, headaches and nausea from
tumor. Other symptoms include:
 Large scale sweating
 Weakness
 Onset of puberty in boys and girls may be delayed
 Irregularity in menstrual cycle
 Deafness

5. Treatments
Gigantism requires early detection and strong
treatment to prevent excess production of growth
hormone and to improve life expectancy. Normally,
surgery is the first line of treatment with the objective
of removing the tumor to minimize growth hormone
levels and reduce the pressure on the nerves. The type
of operation depends on the size of the tumor and how
easily it can be accessed.
Radiation therapy is another option if surgery has not
provided a complete cure. It can take several years for
radiation therapy to be effective. Half of the patients
achieve controlled growth hormone in 5-10 years.
Though radiation therapy is successful in controlling
tumor growth, it may not reduce growth hormone and
insulin-like growth factor 1 levels.

6. Treatments
 Drug therapy may also be used in certain
circumstances:
Prior to surgery in order to control symptoms and
cause the tumor to shrink
 Post surgery when growth hormone levels are not
managed
 While radiation therapy is going on
 Individuals not qualified for surgical process
 Regular medical follow-up is required to scrutinize
growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 to
notice any growth of the tumor.
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