Gigantism

Introduction: Gigantism

Gigantism is the name to a particular growth defect that occurs during childhood, from over-exposure to growth hormone. This is similar to another disease, acromegaly, which arises from similar types of tumors but occurs in adulthood, when bones have fused and cannot lengthen.

Symptoms of Gigantism

• Excessive growth
• Long arms
• Long legs
• Tallness
• Enlarged soft tissues

See full list of 12 symptoms of Gigantism

Medical Textbooks Online about Gigantism

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Less Common Symptoms of Gigantism

• Peripheral neuropathy

Read more about symptoms of Gigantism

Diagnostic Tests for Gigantism

• Growth hormone blood tests
• CAT scan of pituitary gland
• MRI scan of pituitary gland

Read more about tests for Gigantism

Wrongly Diagnosed with Gigantism?

• Misdiagnosis of Gigantism
• Underlying causes of Gigantism (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Causes of Gigantism

• Pituitary tumor - Growth hormone producing tumors

Read more about causes of Gigantism

More information about causes of Gigantism:

• Underlying causes of Gigantism
• Gigantism as a complication caused by other conditions
• Gigantism as a symptom

Treatments for Gigantism

• Bromocriptine
• Radiotherapy - for the pituitary tumor
• Surgery - for the pituitary tumor

Read more about treatments for Gigantism

Videos for Gigantism

Patient Surveys for Gigantism

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Gigantism
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Stories from Users Related to Gigantism

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User Interactive Forums

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Definitions of Gigantism:

The condition of abnormal overgrowth or excessive size of the whole body or any of its parts. - (Source - Diseases Database)

Excessive size; usually caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland - (Source - WordNet 2.1)