Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
9891001 
Journal Article 
Review 
Complications of acromegaly: thyroid and colon 
Tirosh, A; Shimon, I 
2017 
1 
Pituitary
ISSN: 1386-341X
EISSN: 1573-7403 
20 
1 
70-75 
English 
27631334 
INTRODUCTION: In acromegaly the long-term exposure to high growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may result in specific complications in different human organs, including the thyroid gland and the colon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We will review here the evidence available regarding the characteristic thyroid and colon complications in acromegaly.

RESULTS: This review summarizes the published data observing noncancerous structural abnormalities (thyroid nodules, colonic polyps) and thyroid and colon cancer in patients diagnosed with acromegaly.

CONCLUSION: Thyroid micro-carcinomas are probably over-diagnosed among acromegalic patients. In regard to colon cancer, there is no sufficient data to suggest that colon cancer risk is higher in acromegaly compared to the general population.