Acromegaly occurs only in adults, usually of middle age.
Symptoms of Acromegaly include:
- Abnormal growth of the bones of the face
- Enlarged hands and feet
- Excessive sweating
- Heart disease
- Joint pain
- Vision disturbances
Causes and Risk Factors
The pituitary gland controls critical body functions, including growth and body metabolism, thyroid function, the body's response to stress and reproduction. In over 90 percent of cases, acromegaly can be traced to a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, called an adenoma. Acromegaly can also be caused by tumors of the adrenal glands, lungs or pancreas. These tumors can lead to an excess of growth hormone, either because they produce it or they produce the hormone that stimulates the pituitary gland into making it.