Pathology - Acromegaly and Gigantism

Pathology - Acromegaly and Gigantism 
Resulting from a pituitary somatotropic adenoma.
Pituitary adenoma consists of many acidophilic cells that carry secretory granules filled with growth hormone (GH).
Pathophysiology: Elevated growth hormone leads to heightened release of insulin-like growth factor from the liver.

Symptoms and signs 
Gigantism in children is characterized by excessive height due to the presence of an adenoma before the closure of the growth plates.
Acromegaly is a condition that occurs in adults due to the presence of an adenoma after the closure of the epiphyses. It is characterized by the enlargement of hands, feet, skull, and mandible, weight gain, insulin resistance leading to high blood sugar levels, hypertension, enlarged heart, heart failure, and possibly hypogonadism with symptoms like amenorrhea or reduced sex drive.
Patients may experience bitemporal hemianopsia or other visual abnormalities as a result of potential compression of the optic chiasm by an adenoma.
Laboratory results: Hyperglycemia is characterized by increased levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1.

Treatment involves the use of octreotide, a somatostatin analog that reduces GH release by feedback inhibition, and surgical excision of the adenoma.