Acromegaly Caused by Ectopic Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Secretion: A Review. 2022

Iga Zendran, and Gabriela Gut, and Marcin Kałużny, and Katarzyna Zawadzka, and Marek Bolanowski
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Ectopic acromegaly is a rare condition caused most frequently by growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) secretion from neuroendocrine tumors. The diagnosis is often difficult to establish as its main symptoms do not differ from those of acromegaly of pituitary origin. To determine most common clinical features and diagnostic challenges in ectopic acromegaly. A search for ectopic acromegaly cases available in literature was performed using PubMed, Cochrane, and MEDline database. In this article, 127 cases of ectopic acromegaly described after GHRH isolation in 1982 are comprehensively reviewed, along with a summary of current state of knowledge on its clinical features, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities. The most important data were compiled and compared in the tables. Neuroendocrine tumors were confirmed in 119 out of 121 patients with histopathological evaluation, mostly of lung and pancreatic origin. Clinical manifestation comprise symptoms associated with pituitary hyperplasia, such as headache or visual field disturbances, as well as typical signs of acromegaly. Other endocrinopathies may also be present depending on the tumor type. Definitive diagnosis of ectopic acromegaly requires confirmation of GHRH secretion from a tumor using either histopathological methods or GHRH plasma concentration assessment. Hormonal evaluation was available for 84 patients (66%) and histopathological confirmation for 99 cases (78%). Complete tumor resection was the main treatment method for most patients as it is a treatment of choice due to its highest effectiveness. When not feasible, somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL) therapy is the preferred treatment option. Prognosis is relatively favorable for neuroendocrine GHRH-secreting tumors with high survival rate. Although ectopic acromegaly remains a rare disease, one should be aware of it as a possible differential diagnosis in patients presenting with additional symptoms or those not responding to classic treatment of acromegaly.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011379 Prognosis A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations. Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000172 Acromegaly A condition caused by prolonged exposure to excessive HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE in adults. It is characterized by bony enlargement of the FACE; lower jaw (PROGNATHISM); hands; FEET; HEAD; and THORAX. The most common etiology is a GROWTH HORMONE-SECRETING PITUITARY ADENOMA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch36, pp79-80) Inappropriate Growth Hormone Secretion Syndrome (Acromegaly),Somatotropin Hypersecretion Syndrome (Acromegaly),Inappropriate GH Secretion Syndrome (Acromegaly),Hypersecretion Syndrome, Somatotropin (Acromegaly),Hypersecretion Syndromes, Somatotropin (Acromegaly),Somatotropin Hypersecretion Syndromes (Acromegaly),Syndrome, Somatotropin Hypersecretion (Acromegaly),Syndromes, Somatotropin Hypersecretion (Acromegaly)
D013007 Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone A peptide of 44 amino acids in most species that stimulates the release and synthesis of GROWTH HORMONE. GHRF (or GRF) is synthesized by neurons in the ARCUATE NUCLEUS of the HYPOTHALAMUS. After being released into the pituitary portal circulation, GHRF stimulates GH release by the SOMATOTROPHS in the PITUITARY GLAND. Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor,Somatocrinin,Somatotropin-Releasing Factor 44,Somatotropin-Releasing Hormone,GHRH 1-44,GRF 1-44,Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor 44,Human Pancreatic Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor,Somatoliberin,hpGRF 44,Growth Hormone Releasing Factor,Growth Hormone Releasing Factor 44,Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone,Somatotropin Releasing Factor 44,Somatotropin Releasing Hormone
D018358 Neuroendocrine Tumors Tumors whose cells possess secretory granules and originate from the neuroectoderm, i.e., the cells of the ectoblast or epiblast that program the neuroendocrine system. Common properties across most neuroendocrine tumors include ectopic hormone production (often via APUD CELLS), the presence of tumor-associated antigens, and isozyme composition. Neuroendocrine Tumor,Tumor, Neuroendocrine,Tumors, Neuroendocrine

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