AACE MENA 2025-Acromegaly, Diagnosis, Management and Anomalies

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The lecture focused on acromegaly, a hormonal disorder caused predominantly by pituitary adenomas secreting excess growth hormone, leading to characteristic physical changes and serious complications. The speaker reviewed historical context, prevalence, and clinical features including metabolic and cardiovascular issues, sleep apnea, and increased vertebral fractures. Diagnosis is often delayed, averaging 3-5 years currently. First-line treatment is surgery by experienced pituitary surgeons, with medical therapies (cabergoline, somatostatin analogs, pegvisomant) and radiotherapy used if surgery is insufficient. Control of hormone levels (GH <1 ug/L, normalized IGF-1) is critical to reduce mortality risk. New treatments and issues like genetic forms (AIP mutations), headache management, discordant hormone results, and cost considerations were addressed. Long-term monitoring includes hormone levels, cardiovascular health, and colonoscopy. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes and prevent complications. The talk underscored the importance of expertise, patient-specific therapy, and ongoing research in acromegaly care.

Keywords

acromegaly

pituitary adenomas

growth hormone

surgery

medical therapy

long-term monitoring