Acromegaly: analysis of 132 cases treated surgically

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neurosurgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Acromegaly is a rare endocrine disorder caused by excess growth hormone (GH).
• Surgical resection of pituitary adenomas is a primary treatment modality.
• Understanding factors influencing surgical success is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the outcomes of surgical treatment in a cohort of acromegaly patients.
• To determine cure rates based on postoperative growth hormone levels.
• To identify preoperative predictors of successful surgical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 132 acromegaly patients undergoing surgical treatment.
• Evaluation of sex distribution across different age groups.
• Assessment of cure rates using two different growth hormone thresholds (< 5 ng/ml and < 10 ng/ml).
• Correlation of preoperative GH levels with endocrinological cure.

Main Results:

• Overall cure rates were 58% (GH < 5 ng/ml) and 78% (GH < 10 ng/ml).
• Sex distribution varied by age, with more males in younger patients and more females in older patients (>59 years).
• Patients with preoperative GH levels below 70 ng/ml were more likely to achieve endocrinological cure.

Conclusions:

• Surgical treatment can achieve significant cure rates in acromegaly patients.
• Preoperative growth hormone levels are a key predictor of surgical success.
• Age and sex demographics provide insights into patient populations but do not directly impact cure rates.