How are acromegaly or gigantism treated?
- Goals of therapy for GH-secreting tumors include reduction of mortality risk, tumor shrinkage, and control of GH hypersecretion.
- The treatment of choice for GH-secreting tumors is TSS performed by an experienced pituitary surgeon. Most patients with microadenomas are cured, and larger tumors are debulked.
- In experienced hands, surgical complications are unusual. Significant reduction in GH levels and improvement in symptoms typically follow surgery, even when further treatment is required.
- Certain patients may benefit from medical therapy before surgery to reduce surgical risks, including patients with congestive heart failure, severe sleep apnea, intubation problems, or other comorbidities of acromegaly.
- There are no conclusive data that preoperative treatment improves cure rates, however.
