Acromegaly is mainly caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) due to pituitary GH tumors or hyperplasia of pituitary GH cells. Persistent excessive secretion of GH causes gigantism before the epiphyses close and acromegaly after the epiphyses close. Acromegaly has a hidden onset, slow progression, and is characterized by hyperplasia and hypertrophy of bones, soft tissues, and internal organs, manifested as facial changes, enlargement of the ends of hands, feet, and toes, thick skin, enlargement of internal organs, and bone and joint lesions. The diagnosis and treatment of this disease are often delayed, and the incidence of pituitary tumor compression symptoms, diabetes, diabetes with infection, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory system diseases, and colorectal cancer and other malignant tumors increases, seriously affecting the health and quality of life of patients, and shortening life expectancy.
Akromegalie-Patienten entwickeln sich heimlich, langsam fortschreiten, bei der Hälfte der Patienten liegt die Krankheitsdauer bei der Diagnose5Jahren, der längste kann über30 years. The clinical manifestations of the patient are mainly determined by the size, growth rate, secretion status of growth hormone, and the impact on normal pituitary tissue compression of the pituitary tumor itself. The main manifestations include local compression of the pituitary tumor and excessive secretion of GH. The diagnosis of acromegaly is not difficult, and detailed medical history and physical examination are the basic basis for diagnosis. Laboratory tests and special examinations help to determine the diagnosis of difficult cases. However, due to the hidden onset, slow progression of the disease, insufficient understanding of the disease by doctors and patients, doctors often fail to discover and diagnose the disease early, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Some patients with acromegaly often appear obvious symptoms and signs, and even chronic complications in the late stage (such as diabetes, hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy, etc.) realize that they need to seek medical attention.