Main description:

Gigantism and Acromegaly brings together pituitary experts, taking readers from bench research, to genetic analysis, clinical analysis, and new therapeutic approaches. This book serves as a reference for growth hormone over-secretion and its diagnosis and treatment for endocrinologists, pediatricians, internists, and neurosurgeons, and for geneticists. Pharmaceutical companies may use it as a reference for drug development and research. Students, residents and fellows in medicine and endocrinology and genetics will also find it valuable as it provides a single up-to-date review of the molecular biology of gigantism and acromegaly as well as recommended approaches to evaluation and management.

Acromegaly is a rare pituitary disorder that slowly changes its adult victim's appearance over time: larger hands and feet, bigger jaw, forehead, nose, and lips. Generally, a benign pituitary tumor is the cause and symptoms of acromegaly can vary from patient to patient, making a diagnosis difficult and prolonging suffering for years. Early detection is key in the management of acromegaly as the pathologic effects of increased growth hormone (GH) production are progressive and can be life-threatening as the result of associated cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory disorders and malignancies.

Contents:

1. History of the identification of gigantism and acromegaly Liliya Rostomyan, Albert Beckers and Patrick Petrossians 2. Pathology of pituitary growth hormone excess Sylvia L. Asa and Shereen Ezzat 3. Gigantism: clinical diagnosis and description, Iulia Potorac Liliya Rostomyan, Adrian F. Daly, Patrick Petrossians and Albert Beckers 4. Acromegaly: clinical description and diagnosis Kevin C.J. Yuen and Albert Becker 5. GPR101, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor, with roles in growth, puberty, and possibly appetite regulation Fady Hannah-Shmouni and Constantine A. Stratakis 6. The role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein in pituitary tumorigenesis Laura C. Hernandez-Ramirez 7. The 3PAs syndrome and succinate dehydrogenase deficiency in pituitary tumors Paraskevi Xekouki, Vasiliki Daraki, Grigoria Betsi, Maria Chrysoulaki, Maria Sfakiotaki, Maria Mytilinaiou and Constantine A. Stratakis 8. CDKN1B (p27) defects leading to pituitary tumors Sebastian Gulde and Natalia S. Pellegata 9. Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes and somatotroph adenomas Carolina R.C. Pieterman and Steven G. Waguespack 10. GNAS, McCuneErika Peverelli, Donatella Treppiedi, Federica Mangili Rosa Catalano and Giovanna Mantovani 11. Surgical management of growth hormone-secreting adenomas Elizabeth Hogan and Prashant Chittiboina 12. Medical management of pituitary gigantism and acromegaly Adrian F. Daly and Albert Beckers 13. GHRH-producing tumors and other neuroendocrine neoplasms associated with acromegaly and/or gigantism Sara Pakbaz, Anjelica Hodgson and Ozgur Mete 14. Increased growth hormone secretion from lesions outside the anterior pituitary Christina Tatsi and Constantine A. Stratakis