Academic Press Gigantism and Acromegaly: Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Gigantism and Acromegaly brings together pituitary experts, taking readers from bench research, to genetic analysis, clinical analysis, and new therapeutic approaches. This book serves as a reference for growth hormone over-secretion and its diagnosis and treatment for endocrinologists, pediatricians, internists, and neurosurgeons, and for geneticists. Pharmaceutical companies may use it as a reference for drug development and research. Students, residents and fellows in medicine and endocrinology and genetics will also find it valuable as it provides a single up-to-date review of the molecular biology of gigantism and acromegaly as well as recommended approaches to evaluation and management. Acromegaly is a rare pituitary disorder that slowly changes its adult victim’s appearance over time: larger hands and feet, bigger jaw, forehead, nose, and lips. Generally, a benign pituitary tumor is the cause and symptoms of acromegaly can vary from patient to patient, making a diagnosis difficult and prolonging suffering for years. Early detection is key in the management of acromegaly as the pathologic effects of increased growth hormone (GH) production are progressive and can be life-threatening as the result of associated cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory disorders and malignancies. Review Provides a single up-to-date reference on the molecular genetics of gigantism and acromegaly due to excess growth hormone From the Back Cover Acromegaly is a rare pituitary disorder that slowly changes its adult victim’s appearance over time: larger hands and feet, bigger jaw, forehead, nose, and lips. Generally a benign pituitary tumor is the cause and symptoms of acromegaly can vary from patient to patient, making a diagnosis difficult and prolonging suffering for years. Early detection is key in the management of acromegaly as the pathologic effects of increased growth hormone (GH) production are progressive and can be life-threatening as the result of associated cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory disorders and malignancies. Children, who have not yet stopped growing, experience excessive growth known as gigantism. Gigantism and Acromegaly brings together pituitary experts from all areas of research and practice, taking readers from bench research, to genetic analysis, clinical analysis, and new therapeutic approaches to manage these rare disorders. This serves as a reference for growth hormone over-secretion and its diagnosis and treatment for endocrinologists, other clinicians, including pediatricians, internists, and neurosurgeons, and for geneticists. Pharmaceutical companies may use it as a reference for drug development and research. Students, residents and fellows in medicine and endocrinology and genetics will also find it valuable. There are many review articles on the topic of acromegaly and gigantism, but the range of topics is limited. This reference provides a single up-to-date review of the molecular biology of gigantism and acromegaly as well as a recommended approach to evaluation and management written by internationally recognized experts. About the Author Dr. Stratakis was named Scientific Director of the NICHD in 2011, after serving as Acting Scientific Director of the NICHD since 2009. He received his M.D. and Doctor of Medical Sciences degrees from the National and Capodistrian University of Athens. He did predoctoral work at the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Pharmacology at the same University, and at Hospital Cochin, Paris, France, before joining the Developmental Endocrinology Branch of the then National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, first as a student, and then as a postdoctoral fellow in 1988. In 1990, he continued his post-graduate medical education at Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, D.C., where he finished a residency in pediatrics and two fellowships in pediatric endocr