Common Causes And Risk Factors Of Acromegaly

Other Tumors

While most cases of acromegaly are caused by an adenoma in the pituitary gland, some rare cases are the result of a tumor that develops in another tissue. These other tumors may develop in a different part of the brain, pancreas, and lungs. Excess amounts of growth hormone can occur if these other tumors produce growth hormone directly, or when they produce a different hormone referred to as growth hormone-releasing hormone that tells the pituitary gland to produce more growth hormone. Individuals affected by a non-pituitary tumor that makes growth hormone-releasing hormone may have an enlarged pituitary gland that is visible on imaging tests because the gland is working in overdrive. The enlargement of the pituitary gland and the various possible origination points of a tumor that secretes growth hormone-releasing hormone can make it challenging for physicians to identify this tumor as the problem. However, once the growth hormone-releasing tumor is located and surgically removed, the acromegaly symptoms should subside.

Get more details on risk factors linked to acromegaly now.