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Acromegaly - Best Hospitals, Doctors, Prices - Booking Health

Treatment of Acromegaly

Acromegaly | Information about hospitals and doctors | Rankings | Clinics | Prices | Send request to the hospital

Best hospitals and doctors for acromegaly treatment abroad

Leading hospitals

Cost for treatment

Diagnosis of acromegaly
3374
Surgical treatment of acromegaly by resection of pituitary adenom
6907.1
General therapeutic rehabilitation
0.00
The Samsung Medical Center was founded in 1994 and soon won the reputation of a medical facility of presidential standards, which it still preserves today. The hospital has 40 departments, 10 specialized centers and a huge Cancer Center with 655 beds. The medical facility is equipped with advanced equipment (for example, a 32-ch
The Hanyang University Medical Center was founded in 1972 and today is one of the largest and most advanced providers of medical services in Korea and around the world. The medical institution runs 9 specialized centers and 26 departments fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment. The most important component of successful trea
The Vivantes Auguste-Victoria Hospital, has special expertise and received international recognition in the field of Urology, especially in the treatment of prostate cancer and also Oncology, Neurology, Cardiology and other directions. The possibilities of urological treatment include robot-assisted surgeries using the Da Vinci
The main medical directions of the hospital include general and abdominal surgery, orthopedics and traumatology, in particular the Endoprosthesis Center (EndoProthetikZentrum EPZ). The doctors of the hospital are experts in the field of internal medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology and geriatrics. The hospital also has a Diabe
The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is the second largest and one of the most advanced healthcare and research facilities in Israel. It began its work in 1961, but it is still popular among the local population and attracts thousands of international patients. The multidisciplinary medical center covers an area of ​​150,000 m&s
Hirslanden Clinic Aarau
Hirslanden Clinic Aarau
Overall rating9.0625 / 10
The Hirslanden Clinic Aarau enjoys the status of one of the largest and most successful private medical facilities in Bern and Zurich. The clinic is part of the Hirslanden Network known in Europe, which is a provider of first-class medical services in Switzerland. The main areas of specialization of the clinic in Aarau include c
The University Hospital Freiburg is famous for its rich history and is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical facilities in Germany (one of the three best medical institutions in the country). The hospital was based on the Faculty of Medicine of the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, which celebrated its 550th anniver
Beta Clinic Bonn
Beta Clinic Bonn
Overall rating9.7 / 10
The Beta Clinic Bonn is a modern private healthcare facility with 20 specialized departments. In addition, the clinic cooperates with 30 independent doctors of various specializations, most of whom have their own private practices. The doors of the clinic first opened for patients in 2008. Since that time, the medical facility h
The ATOS Clinic Heidelberg is a reputable medical complex with high standards of patient care. The clinic was founded in 1991. Since then, it has taken a leading position in the European medical arena in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and many other pathologies. The clinic has a highly professional team
An academic clinic of the university medical complex Charité, the Vivantes Humboldt Hospital is one of the largest specialized medical institutions in Berlin. The hospital is famous for its impeccable reputation in the field of traumatology, orthopedics, urology and gynecology, as well as treatment of oncological diseases
The Preventicum Diagnostic Clinic Essen is an advanced medical center oriented on providing high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic services. The primary focus of the clinic is comprehensive diagnostics, including preventive examinations (check-ups). The clinic presents such medical fields as internal medicine, cardiology, gastr
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About the disease

Acromegaly is a condition that causes bones and organs start to grow abnormally and exceed their normal size. Acromegaly develops when there is excessive production of the growth regulatory hormone. As a result, teenagers can grow to abnormal heights. Most commonly, acromegaly affects the face, legs and arms.

The growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland. According to the National Institute of Health, over 95% of adults and teenagers with acromegaly have a benign tumor of the brain, which has affected and damaged the pituitary gland. This kind of tumor is also known as an adenoma. It is a very common type of tumor, affecting approximately 17% of the world’s population. Adenomas are not usually dangerous and do not cause acromegaly. Acromegaly is most common in people who have already reached puberty. It develops gradually and some months may pass before a sufferer notices changes in their height. Middle-aged people are most at risk of developing this condition if they have adenoma in the brain, which is why they should be observed by the doctor regularly.  

Symptoms

  • Joints become enlarged and look abnormal for the age of a teenager
  • Shoe size changes too rapidly
  • Excessive hair growth
  • Unexpected growth spurs
  • Weight gain
  • Uncommon hormonal changes
  • Abnormal sweating
  • Swollen joints

Diagnosis

  • A blood test can determine the amount of growth hormone is present in the patient’s bloodstream. They may also be asked to drink a small amount of glucose, which normally suppresses the amount of growth hormone in the blood. In people with acromegaly, however, the glucose intake has no effect and the amount of growth hormone in the blood stays high.
  • An X-ray of various joints can establish whether the patient’s bones have become abnormal in size. The X-ray needs to be done repeatedly over a period of time in order to see continuous changes in bone size.
  • MRI and CT scans can be used to examine the patient’s soft tissue and inner organs to see if they have also grown abnormally. It is important to determine this, because an enlarged heart, liver or kidneys can be a dangerous condition in itself and would need to be treated immediately. Scans are also used for the diagnosis of adenomas in the brain.

Treatment

  • Surgical treatment includes the resection of pituitary adenomas, which put pressure on the pituitary gland and cause it to produce too much growth hormone. In most cases, surgery is successful.
  • Radiation therapy is required if sections of the tumor remain after surgical resection.
  • Medication to shrink the tumor is prescribed if surgery was unsuccessful. Special drugs are used that avoid affecting the pituitary gland. 

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko