Acromegaly pathogenesis depends mainly on the excessive secretion of the growth hormone from the pituitary gland. Pituitary somatotroph cell adenoma leads to hyper-secretion of the growth hormone. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) inhibits the secretion of growth hormone in two ways: IGF-1 inhibits directly the somatotroph cells or stimulates secretion the somatostatin that inhibits the GH secretion, IGF-1 is also responsible for the acral features of the acromegaly. The  IGF-1 causes the rapid increase in the hand and feet size, forehead protrusion, and jaw prominence. A genetic mutation in the alpha subunit of the guanine nucleotide stimulatory protein leads to increase synthesis of cAMP which increases the secretion of growth hormone. Acromegaly is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN-1), Carney complex, McCune-Albright syndrome, paraganglioma, and Pheochromocytoma.
Acromegaly pathophysiology
Acromegaly laboratory findings
Acromegaly risk factors
Cushing's syndrome pathophysiology
Insulinoma risk factors
Adrenocortical carcinoma risk factors
Adrenal atrophy pathophysiology
Pituitary adenoma pathophysiology