Gigantism

Caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland. Adolescents develop gigantism due to epiphyseal failure; acrophyseal hypertrophy is formed after adolescent epiphysis has been fused; a few adolescents start to mature and continue to develop acromegaly megalomegaly. In the early stage (formation stage), the physique and internal organs are generally hypertrophic, with anterior pituitary hyperfunction; in the late stage (decay stage), physical decline occurs, and secondary anterior pituitary hypofunction occurs.