Acromegaly. Diagnosis and therapy.

Acromegaly may be due to various pathologic processes, but the majority of patients harbor a GH-producing pituitary tumor. Careful clinical, biochemical, and radiologic assessment is needed before designing an appropriate therapeutic plan. Treatment options include surgery, irradiation, dopamine agonists, and somatostatin analogues. Indications, limitations, and side effects of each modality are discussed.