Doctor Nguyen Quang Bay, Head of the Endocrinology – Diabetes Department at Benh vien Bach Mai, stated that many people often mistake enlarged hands and feet or facial changes over time as signs of aging or weight gain. However, these are actually manifestations of acromegaly, also known as gigantism.

This condition originates from the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, producing an excessive amount of growth hormone (GH) in adults. At this stage, since the bone growth plates have closed and cannot lengthen further, bones and soft tissues are forced to grow horizontally, causing characteristic external deformities.

Normal hand (left) and hand of a person with acromegaly (right). Photo: Scientificanimations.

Patients often notice symptoms as rings become tight and shoe sizes change frequently. Facial changes include a protruding lower jaw, creating an underbite, a prominent forehead, and a coarse nose. Additionally, patients' voices often deepen due to thickened vocal cords. Their facial skin may appear oily and thick, with enlarged pores and excessive sweating. Individuals with acromegaly also frequently report joint pain without any identifiable injury.

According to Doctor Bay, without early intervention, sustained high growth hormone levels can severely damage the body. The condition causes numerous metabolic disorders, including diabetes, amenorrhea in young women, thyroid enlargement, and an enlarged liver and spleen. More seriously, patients face cardiovascular complications such as ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, hypertension, and sleep apnea syndrome due to narrowed airways.

Notably, because the pituitary gland is located directly above the optic nerve, a growing pituitary tumor can compress it, causing blurred vision and loss of peripheral vision. Patients also face an increased risk of developing tumors, colon polyps, and colorectal cancer.

The biggest challenge with acromegaly is its insidious progression, often taking 5-10 years for symptoms to become apparent. Most patients are admitted at a late stage, when diagnosis is straightforward, but the tumor has grown too large, making treatment difficult and less effective.

Currently, transsphenoidal surgery (endoscopic surgery through the nose) is the preferred treatment due to its gentle nature, minimal pain, and rapid recovery. For complex cases, recurrent tumors, or when surgery is not feasible, doctors prescribe radiation therapy or hormone-inhibiting drugs to manage the condition.

Le Nga