What is the Difference Between Gigantism and Acromegaly?

Gigantism and acromegaly are both disorders caused by the excess secretion of growth hormones, but they have significant differences, mainly in the age of onset and the effects on the body. Here are the key differences between gigantism and acromegaly:

1. Onset: Gigantism begins in childhood, before puberty, while acromegaly starts during adulthood, after puberty.
2. Causes: Both disorders are primarily caused by pituitary tumors, but gigantism can also be caused by other genetic conditions, including Carney complex, McCune-Albright syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia (type I or IV), neurofibromatosis, and GPR101 gene mutation. Acromegaly can also be caused by tumors originating in areas of the body other than the pituitary, such as the lungs, pancreas, hypothalamus, adrenal glands, and chest or abdomen.
3. Main Symptoms: Gigantism is characterized by overall body growth, including large hands and feet, thick toes and fingers, and very soft hands. Acromegaly is characterized by enlarged extremities and facial features, coarse facial features, a broad nose, acne, hyperhidrosis, underbite, and teeth separation.
4. Puberty: Women with acromegaly have regular puberty, while girls with gigantism may have delayed puberty.
5. Symptom Progression: Symptoms progress rapidly in gigantism, whereas in acromegaly, the progression is slow.
6. Diagnosis: Both disorders are diagnosed through physical examination, imaging tests, and blood tests.
7. Prevalence: Gigantism is rarer than acromegaly, with an estimated 100 cases in the United States. The prevalence of acromegaly is 78 cases per million population, and the incidence is ten new cases per year per million population.
8. Treatment: Surgical removal of the pituitary tumor is the primary treatment for both disorders. In cases where the tumor cannot be removed, medications such as octreotide or lanreotide can be used to suppress growth hormone secretion.

Comparative Table: Gigantism vs Acromegaly

Here is a table comparing the differences between gigantism and acromegaly:

Both gigantism and acromegaly are caused by excess growth hormone production, but they differ in the age of onset, symptoms, and related conditions.