Gigantism
Excessive growth occurring when a GH-secreting pituitary tumour develops before the growth plates close in childhood or adolescence, resulting in extreme height. Gigantism shares the same underlying cause as acromegaly and is treated with similar approaches including somatostatin analogues.
Technical Context
Gigantism occurs when GH excess begins before epiphyseal fusion (growth plate closure) in childhood/adolescence, causing excessive linear growth (heights >7 feet possible). Same underlying pathology as acromegaly (GH-secreting pituitary adenoma) but different clinical presentation due to timing. Treatment parallels acromegaly: surgery, somatostatin analogues, and radiation. Genetic causes of paediatric GH excess include: McCune-Albright syndrome (activating GNAS mutations), Carney complex (PRKAR1A mutations), X-linked acrogigantism (Xq26.3 microduplications including GPR101), and AIP gene mutations (familial isolated pituitary adenoma). Pegvisomant and somatostatin analogues can control GH excess while monitoring for continued growth until epiphyses fuse.