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Options for Treatment of Acromegaly
The goals of treatment for acromegaly are to:
- Eliminate the tumor on the pituitary gland and prevent the tumor from growing back
- Restore normal function of the pituitary gland
- Normalize the levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor to reduce the symptoms of acromegaly
While changes to bones caused by acromegaly cannot be reversed, changes to organs and other tissues may be reversible with appropriate treatment.
Three main acromegaly treatment categories
Treatment options fall into three main categories:
- Surgical removal of the tumor - Microsurgery is done to remove the tumor on the pituitary gland. This may lower growth hormone levels, assuming patients can tolerate general anesthesia and are good candidates.
Good candidates for surgery have:- Small tumors that secrete GH
- Tumors pressing on nerves, like the optic nerve
- Well-defined, noninvasive tumors
- Less than 50% of patients are cured by surgery.
- Medication - Medication may control excess growth hormone. Medication may also be used before surgery to reduce the size of a tumor if surgery is unavailable, or if the tumor is too large to be removed safely.
- Radiation therapy - Radiation of the pituitary is used when there is little or no response to surgery, but the reduction in growth hormone levels is very slow.
By lowering levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor, it's possible to reduce symptoms and the risk of premature mortality for people with acromegaly.
