Acromegaly Treatment Is Becoming Advanced With Increasing Research and Development Activities for New Treatments
Acromegaly is a rare condition in which the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone. Overproduction of this hormone leads to abnormally large organs and bones. The condition is progressive and can progress to life-threatening complications. However, with a proper treatment, symptoms can be greatly reduced and patients can experience an improved quality of life. Treatment for acromegaly can return GH levels to normal, thus improving the patient's quality of life.
There are
several treatments for acromegaly. Medications, such as somatostatin analogs
(octreotide or lanreotide), can lower the levels of IGF-1, a growth hormone,
and help improve the outcome of surgery. They are given by injection every two
to three weeks and can be used to reduce GH levels in the body. However, this
type of treatment can cause unwanted side effects, so it is not recommended for
long-term treatment.
The most
common acromegaly treatment is surgery. A pituitary tumor, most commonly adenoma, causes acromegaly. Surgical removal of the entire tumor or parts of it
may be required, depending on its size and growth into nearby structures.
Surgery for acromegaly can be complicated due to the fact that it can affect
many other organs, including the bones, skin, joints, and spine.
A blood
test can be performed to confirm the diagnosis of acromegaly. Growth hormone
levels can be determined by measuring insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
blood levels. Growth hormone levels usually fluctuate throughout the day. A
single blood sample may not be helpful for diagnosis. A glucose-sugar solution
can help in this case. However, glucose-sugar-induced growth hormone levels are
not helpful for the diagnosis of acromegaly.
The goal
of Acromegaly
Treatment is to reduce the size of the
acromegaly tumor and improve the quality of life. This treatment can reduce the
amount of excessive sweating, improve type 2 diabetes, and help restore normal
eyesight. Although life expectancy decreases after acromegaly, successful
treatment can restore life expectancy and quality of living. Along with
medications, acromegaly treatment may involve surgery, drug therapy, or
combination of all three. In June 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), granted approval to an oral treatment for acromegaly, the somatostatin
analogue octreotide, as a long-term maintenance treatment.
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