Artigos Originais, Revisões e Atualizações October 01, 2005 October 01, 2005

Etiologic aspects and management of acromegaly

DOI: 10.1590/S0004-27302005000500004

Acromegaly is a systemic disease with various etiologies. It can occur as a sporadic or, more rarely, as a familial disease. Numerous complications such as endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, osteoarticular and neoplastic disturbances occur and must be taken into account when establishing a therapeutic strategy. For this reason, the decision as to a treatment modality of acromegaly must be followed by a thorough evaluation of the patient and once the diagnosis of complications is settled, adequate treatment should be instituted. Follow up of the patients requires periodical re-assessment of complications’ status.