Acromegaly is mainly caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) due to hyperplasia of pituitary GH tumor or 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 viscera, manifested as facial changes, enlargement of the tips of hands, feet, and toes, thick skin, enlargement of viscera, and bone and joint lesions. The diagnosis and treatment of this disease are often delayed, and the incidence of pituitary tumor compression symptoms, diabetes, diabetic 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, shortening life expectancy.
Les patients atteints d'acromégalie ont souvent un début discret, une progression lente, et la moitié des patients ont un délai de diagnostic de plus de5Années, le plus long peut dépasser30 year. 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 are helpful in determining 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 have obvious symptoms and signs, and even chronic complications in the late stage (such as diabetes, hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy, etc.) realize the need for medical consultation.