A 30-year-old female presents with a need to progressively buy larger and wider shoes. She also cannot wear any of her rings anymore because they are too small. A physical examination shows a prominent brow, protruding lower jaw, and spaces between all of her teeth. This woman may have a tumor in which one of the following organs/tissues?
The patient is displaying the symptoms of acromegaly, caused by excessive or episodic secretion of GH in the adult (if the growth plates had not closed, then gigantism would result). GH is made in the pituitary and secreted from there in response to GHRH, which is produced in the hypothalamus. A tumor of the hypothalamus, which secretes GHRH, would lead to excessive GH secretion, and the symptoms observed. Tumors of the bone marrow (leukemia), adrenal glands (a variety of endocrine disorders), pancreas, or adipose tissue would not lead to elevated GH levels.
Hypothalamus
Bone marrow
Adrenal glands
Pancreas
Endocrinology