Colon polyps in acromegaly

Article Abstract:

Acromegaly is a disease caused by pituitary gland tumors that secrete growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1. These two hormones promote the growth of bones and other tissues. Most adult bones cannot grow, and those that do, become misshapen, producing the characteristic appearance of acromegalic patients. Typically, these patients have large skulls and jaws, large fingers and toes, and often have their disease diagnosed when they come to their physicians complaining that their rings and shoes no longer fit. In recent years, an association has been noted between acromegaly and colon cancer. A series of 23 acromegalic patients with no known colon disease underwent colonoscopy, in which a tube is passed throughout the entire large intestine to permit direct visualization of the bowel. Colonic polyps were found in 3 of the 11 women (27 percent) and 6 of the 12 men (50 percent). All were tubular adenomas, which are considered premalignant, or highly likely to turn cancerous. The likeliest reason for the prevalence of these polyps is the fact that both growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 are known to stimulate growth of tumorous as well as normal cells. This study confirms that acromegalic patients should be considered at high risk for colon cancer, and should undergo thorough and regular screening for the disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Complications and side effects, Acromegaly

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Malignant polyps: are they sheep in wolves' clothing?

Article Abstract:

Some adenomatous polyps of the colon, or the large intestine, may be malignant from the start rather than undergoing transformation into colorectal cancer. Many health care professionals believe that colorectal polyps are benign until undergoing some type of degeneration into a cancerous lesion. A study examined autopsy reports and three colonic screening surveys to estimate the number of individuals in the US with at least one malignant colorectal polyp. Only 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed per year in the US, but 725,000 US residents may have one or more malignant colorectal polyps. The latency period for malignant polyps may be an average of 4.8 years. The latency period is the length of time before the patient experiences any symptoms of colorectal cancer. The latency period may be even longer than 4.8 years. Many patients undergo removal of malignant colorectal polyps before experiencing any symptoms.

Development and progression, Intestinal polyps

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Management of pituitary tumors

Article Abstract:

The introduction of effective drugs has helped many patients with pituitary tumors who cannot be treated surgically. Surgery is still effective for adenomas and tumors that secrete ACTH and TSH. Radiation treatment can also be given after surgery. However, octreotide and somatostatin analogues are alternatives to surgery in these patients. Dopamine agonists are most effective in patients with microprolactinomas and macroprolactinomas and cabergoline and bromocriptine may also be effective. There is no effective drug treatment for some tumors, and some tumors cannot be cured by surgery.

Care and treatment, Pituitary gland tumors, Pituitary tumors

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