Gigantism

Gigantism
Also known as: Giantism, Somatotroph Adenoma, Growth Hormone Excess, Pituitary Giant (Singer, 2013)

Definition
Pituitary gigantism, rarely seen in children and adolescents, occurs to those who are exposed to excess growth (GH) hormone before epiphyseal plate closure (Singer, 2013). Gigantism is mistaken for Acromegaly, however timing of epiphyseal plate is the determinant of the diagnosis. Acromegaly is also due to an excess GH secretion that occurs after closure of growth plates, seen in adulthood (McCance, 2014). Symptoms of Gigantism will be most often be seen in large bones, arms and legs. Children afflicted with the disease will grow as much as 6 inches a year and often reach a height of more than 6'6" (Singer, 2013).

Pathophysiology
Acromegaly and Gigantism have the same pathological mechanism, however, differ based on age of onset.

GH and the Endocrine System Growth hormone is normally controlled by two hormones from the hypothalamus: growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), which increases GH secretion from the anterior pituitary. A negative feedback system is also created to inhibit it's secretion, somatostatin inhibits GH. GH peaks during adolescence, and is essentioal for normal tissue growth/maturation, aging, sleeping, nutritional status, stress, and reporoductive hormones(Mccance, 2014). GH stimulates epiphyseal growth and increases osteoclast and osteoblast activity: increase bone mass.

Endocrine Adenomas True gigantism is rare and most often due to excess GH. Most often related to adenomas arising from the somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary(Phillip et al., 2013). The majority of these tumours secrete GH alone but a significant proportion hypersecrete both GH and prolactin (Phillip et al., 2013). However, Gigantism can also be related to a hypothalamic mass, which in turn creates GHRH excess (Zimmerman et al., 1993). What also can occur is a dysregulation of somatostatin tone, rather than enhanced secretion of GNRH or autonomous secretion of GH from pituitary, leading to gigantism clinical features(Drimmie et al., 2000)t

Optic Pathway Tumors Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 have displayed gigantism features and GH excess, which may be under-recognized or falsely viewed as precocious puberty (Jami et al., 2011)

Genetics
First and foremost, familial gigantism is extremely rare. The earliest report of familial gigantism might be of Goliath and his three brothers. The Ugo Brothers of France are two famous giants that traveled the world in the early 20th century. GH secreting pituitary adenomas have an annual incidence of 3/1,000,000 (Herder, 2012).

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) Autosomal-dominat MEN1 is associated with a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome locus 11q13(Herder, 2012). Pituitary tumors occur in approximately 30-50% of patients with MEN1, frequency of GH producing tumors in MEN1 is only 10% (Herder, 2012).

Carney Complex (CNC) 10-20% of patients of patients with autosomal-dominant CNC have pituitary adenomas. LOH on chromosomal locus 17q22-24 and germiline mutations in protein kinase A regulatory subunit (PRKAR1A) have been identified (Herder, 2012).

McCune Albright syndrome (MAS) Sporadic disease characterized by precocious puberty (mostly in girls), polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, and càfe-au-lait pigmented skin lesions as the main features (Sargin et al., 2006). MAS patients also present with endocrine abnormalities that include pituitary tumors leading to acromegaly. The underlying mutation activating mutation of the Gsα gene explains many features of MAS (Sargin et al., 2006). As of 2006, 59 cases of MAS with acromegaly have been reported (Sargin et al., 2006)

Familial Isolated Pituitary Adenomas (FIPA) Inactivating germline mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor that interacts with tumor suppressor protein (AIP) have been identified (Herder, 2012). GH producing tumors in AIP positive patients have a tendency for higher accelerated growth and presented more frequently in childhood (Herder, 2012). AIP mutations are very common in gigantism.

Epidemiology
The main cause of gigantism is excess GH, that is nearly always caused by an adenoma or tumor of the pituitary gland (UCLA Health). Only 100 cases have ever been reported in the United States and occurs twice as likely for males Barrow Neurological Institute)Other causes/associations are listed above within Pathophysiology and Genetics.

Disease Described
Excessive symmetrical growth, especially of the arms and legs, accompanied by a corresponding growth in height of the entire body by production of excess GH. Gigantism begins in childhood, before normal ossification or fusion of the growth plates has been completed (Barrow Neurological Institute) (MedlinePlus) (UptoDate).

Signs and Symptoms
Characteristics Include:


 * Advanced Height
 * Advanced Weight
 * Facial Configuration resembling Acromegaly
 * Non-progressive mental retardation (Stephenson et. al, 1968)
 * Headache, Nausea, Visual Defects (classically bitemporal hemianopia) (Phillip et al., 2013).

To Note: The soft tissue effects seen in adults with acromegaly (coarse facial features, large hands/feet, prognathism and sleep apnoea) are less common in childhood/gigantism (Phillip et al., 2013).

Diagnosis
Lab Based upon biochemical demonstration of GH excess. Baseline IGF-1: majority of children with GH secreting tumors will have a IGF-1 above the upper limit range of reference range (Phillip et al., 2013). OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) is the gold standard to definitively exclude GH excess by demonstrating suppression of GH to less thatn 0.4mcg/L: failure to do so is diagnostic of GH excess (Phillip et al., 2013). Be careful, during puberty there is an increase in GH and IGF-1 concentrations, erroneous diagnosis of pituitary gigantism should be avoided. In addition pituitary function testing should also be examined, including a GHRH.

Imaging Visual fields should be examined along with an MRI with contrast of the brain (ptuitary/hypothalamus) should be performed (Phillip et al., 2013).

Further Reading & Recomendations
UCLA Pituitary Tumor Program

MedlinePlus

Barrow Neurological Institute

UpToDate Gigantism