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Previous Volume 355:2558-2573 December 14, 2006 Number 24 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Pituitary tumors account for about 15% of primary intracranial neoplasms.¹ Given the critical location of the gland, expanding tumors cause compressive symptoms. Furthermore, as pituitary cells secrete hormones, the proliferation of these cells may lead to a spectrum of endocrine symptoms. When tumors arise in pituitary somatotroph cells, aberrant secretion of growth hormone leads to the distinctive features of acromegaly. Understanding the development, function, and regulation of somatotroph cells provides insight into the cellular origin of this tumor, as well as approaches to the treatment of acromegaly. This review discusses advances in the understanding and treatment of acromegaly that have . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Physiological Features of Somatotrophs

Somatotroph Adenomas

Pathogenesis

Clinical and Pathological Features

Clinical Features of Acromegaly

Coexisting Illnesses

Mortality

Diagnosis

Treatment

Surgery

Radiotherapy

Receptor Targets for Medical Therapy

            Somatostatin Receptor Ligands

            Pegvisomant, a Growth Hormone–Receptor Antagonist

            Dopamine Receptor Agonists

Monitoring and Clinical Goals

Source Information

From the Department of Medicine, Cedars–Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Melmed at Cedars–Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Rm. 2015, Los Angeles, CA 90048, or at melmed@cshs.org.

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