Gigantism And Acromegaly

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. Accessible, up-to-date overview of the characteristics, state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures, and management of acromegaly and gigantism Provides a unique compendium of endocrinology, genetics, clinical diagnosis and therapeutics Contains contributions from internationally known experts who have treated patients with acromegaly and gigantism

The manuscripts in this volume were contributed by the speakers invited to the Acromegaly Centennial Symposium held in San Francisco, California in July 1986. The meeting was organized to commemorate the description of acromegaly by the French physician Pierre Marie, in 1886. The members of the Scientific Committee spent many hours assisting us in ensuring an outstanding meeting. The support of Serono Symposia, USA in all phases of the planning and execution of the meeting was sincerely appreciated and was highly professional. Special recognition roust be extended to Professor Roger Guillemin of the Salk Institute, whosp interest in medical history led him to devote a great deal of time and personal expense in obtaining information about the life of Pierre Marie. Dr. GuilIemin's presentation on the life and times of Marie was an extraordinary overview of the cultural, social, and scientific backgrounds in which Marie came to describe the disease, acromegaly. Dr. Guillemin' s findings, which were presented at the main banquet in a splendid audiovisual presentation, were clearly the highlight of the meeting and will long be remembered by the attendees. We were also honored by the presence of Dr. Martine Pierre Marie Granier, the great-granddaughter of Pierre Harie. In her address at the banquet, Dr. Granier provided several delightful and intimate vignettes concerning Pierre Marie, using old family records and photographs. The Scientific Committee wishes to extend its gratitude to Dr. Granier for adding immeasurably to the historical atmosphere of the meeting.

Reviewing the most current literature, this text is a guide to medical decision-making regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients with acromegaly. The scope of the book is comprehensive, covering all relevant facets of acromegaly, beginning with a history of the disorder and a review of the somatotrophic axis. Etiology is then discussed, including growth hormone secreting pituitary adenomas and other neuroendocrine tumors. Subsequent chapters present imaging modalities and diagnosis via radiology and clinical findings, as well as comorbid symptoms such as sleep apnea, musculoskeletal considerations, cardiovascular disorders, cancer and diabetes. Both medical and surgical management chapters describe each in detail, including radiotherapy, transsphenoidal surgery, somatostatin analogues and dopamine agonists. Concluding chapters present long-term follow-up as well as an extended selected patient story detailing life with the disease. Bringing together the latest in endocrinologic and neurosurgical evidence and practice, Acromegaly will be the go-to resource for this challenging condition for years to come.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... to in Virchow's paper in 1889, only for the purpose, however, of denying any such connection. Cunningham also quotes certain conclusions pointing in this direction from Langer's paper of the preceding year, though the only conclusive statement which he permits himself to make upon the subject is that the facts as he has collected them "point to some kind of connection between acromegaly and general giant growth." Next, in 1892, came the papers of Taruffi and Tamburini, in which this connection is explicitly stated. Early in 1893 Dr. Dana and myself, by a curious coincidence, each prepared a report of a case of a combination of these diseases to be read before the same medical body--namely, the Pan-American Medical Congress. Neither of us knew anything of the other's case until our preliminary abstracts were published, and I believe that neither of us, at least I can certainly say so for myself, had ever heard of any connection between these two conditions until it was most forcibly and obviously suggested by the cases which came under our hands, and in both our papers, which are published in the Transactions of the Congress, the suggestion is made that acromegaly and giantism may probably be different forms of the same dystrophy. The first formal statement that giantism is acromegaly beginning in early life appears to have been made by Tamburini in 1894. This was followed early in 1895 by a similar statement by Brissaud and Meige in their celebrated case, already quoted, although Massolongo, in a most pompous pronunciamento, announces in the same year, with a great flourish of trumpets, that he had enunciated the same theory in a clinical lecture in the spring of 1892, and pats himself on the back in a most delighted fashion for making...

Battling a chronic disease can often be a lonely and frustrating ordeal. It doesn’t have to be. Alone in My Universe, compiled by Wayne Brown, presents a series of writings from patients suffering from acromegaly. Based on actual personal experiences, these narratives provide a primer of understanding for others dealing with this chronic, debilitating disease that affects many of the body’s systems. This collaborative effort, written by real people touched by acromegaly, attempts to raise awareness of this low-profile disease. Each patient tells his or her story as it relates to the disease and its complications. Topics include the following: • Handling pre-diagnosis frustration • Dealing with fears of medical treatment and surgery • Managing family issues and work issues • Talking with children • Managing negative energy • Coping with good and bad days • Living life each day With sympathy, empathy, and mutual support, Alone in the Universe shares the heartfelt stories of those suffering from acromegaly to show others that they are not alone in their battle.