Acromegaly is a chronic disease caused by growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenoma. GH and its peripheral mediator insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) influence tissues overgrowth and metabolic complications. Most successful therapy of acromegaly is neurosurgical removal of the tumor. This is possible in less than half of the patient. Other patients require medical therapy (somatostatin receptor ligands, GH receptor antagonist, dopamine agonist or their combination) and/or stereotactic radiosurgery. Uncontrolled disease causes 1.5-2.5 fold increase in standardized mortality rate and about 10 yrs decrease of survival time. Main causes of premature mortality in acromegaly are cardiovascular, respiratory and neoplastic diseases.
Among cardiovascular diseases arterial hypertension, cardiomyopathy, hypertrophy, cardiac defects and arrhythmia have greatest impact. They can be influenced by diabetes mellitus, lipid disturbances and endothelial lesions, also. On the other hand, musculoskeletal disorders, spinal fractures and appearance changes are the causes of worsened quality of life. Moreover, some novel therapies can influence carbohydrate metabolism, and deteriorate patients status.
With this Research Topic the Topic Editors aim to gather all above mentioned aspects to ultimately foster the knowledge on acromegaly and its complications. Potential authors are welcomed to submit either original research articles or reviews.
Acromegaly is a chronic disease caused by growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenoma. GH and its peripheral mediator insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) influence tissues overgrowth and metabolic complications. Most successful therapy of acromegaly is neurosurgical removal of the tumor. This is possible in less than half of the patient. Other patients require medical therapy (somatostatin receptor ligands, GH receptor antagonist, dopamine agonist or their combination) and/or stereotactic radiosurgery. Uncontrolled disease causes 1.5-2.5 fold increase in standardized mortality rate and about 10 yrs decrease of survival time. Main causes of premature mortality in acromegaly are cardiovascular, respiratory and neoplastic diseases.
Among cardiovascular diseases arterial hypertension, cardiomyopathy, hypertrophy, cardiac defects and arrhythmia have greatest impact. They can be influenced by diabetes mellitus, lipid disturbances and endothelial lesions, also. On the other hand, musculoskeletal disorders, spinal fractures and appearance changes are the causes of worsened quality of life. Moreover, some novel therapies can influence carbohydrate metabolism, and deteriorate patients status.
With this Research Topic the Topic Editors aim to gather all above mentioned aspects to ultimately foster the knowledge on acromegaly and its complications. Potential authors are welcomed to submit either original research articles or reviews.
