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Cancer in acromegaly
1Department of Endocrinology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK EC1A 7BE.
Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|April 15, 2008
Summary
Acromegaly, a condition caused by excess growth hormone, increases cancer risk, especially for colorectal, breast, and thyroid cancers. The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis plays a key role in the development of these acromegaly-associated malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acromegaly is increasingly linked to various cancers, including colorectal and breast malignancies.
- Existing evidence primarily stems from limited epidemiological studies.
- Further research may reveal associations with other cancer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between acromegaly and specific cancers.
- To explore the pathogenesis of these malignancies.
- To highlight the role of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological surveys and case studies.
- Analysis of the role of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis in cancer development.
- Discussion of the pathogenesis of acromegaly-related cancers.
Main Results:
- Acromegaly is associated with increased risks of colorectal, breast, thyroid, and prostate cancers.
- The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis is implicated in the pathogenesis of these cancers.
- The review synthesizes current evidence on these associations.
Conclusions:
- Acromegaly is a significant risk factor for several types of cancer.
- Understanding the IGF-I axis is crucial for managing cancer risk in acromegaly patients.
- Further epidemiological studies are warranted to fully elucidate these associations.
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