[en] Despite being a classical growth disorder, pituitary gigantism has not been studied previously in a standardized way. We performed a retrospective, multicenter, international study to characterize a large series of pituitary gigantism patients. We included 208 patients (163 males; 78.4%) with growth hormone excess and current/previous abnormal growth velocity for age or final height >2SD above country normal means. The median onset of rapid growth was 13.0 years and occurred significantly earlier in females than in males; pituitary adenomas were diagnosed earlier in females than males (15.8 vs. 21.5 years, respectively). Adenomas were >/=10 mm (i.e. macroadenomas) in 84%, of which extrasellar extension occurred in 77% and invasion in 54%. GH/IGF-1 control was achieved in 39% during long-term follow-up. Final height was greater in those with younger age of onset, with larger tumors and higher GH levels. Later disease control was associated with a greater difference from mid-parental height (r=0.23, P=0.02). AIP mutations occurred in 29%; microduplication at Xq26.3 -X-linked acro-gigantism (X-LAG)- occurred in two familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) kindreds and in ten sporadic patients. Tumor size was not different in X-LAG, AIP mutated and genetically-negative patient groups. AIP-mutated and X-LAG patients had significantly younger age at onset and diagnosis, but disease control was worse in genetically-negative cases. Pituitary gigantism patients are characterized by male predominance and large tumors that are difficult to control. Treatment delay increases final height and symptom burden. AIP mutations and X-LAG explain many cases, but no genetic etiology is seen in >50% of cases.
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