Pituitary macroadenoma relapse after standard treatment

Abstract

Acromegaly is a disease of long evolution and multisystemic involvement, caused by an increased release of growth hormone after the metaphyseal closure of long bones. Diagnosis is often difficult and usually occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. The treatment is based on surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as on endocrine control by drugs. The disease has a low recurrence rate of from 2 to 14%. Case presentation: a 67 year old female patient with a diagnosis of acromegaly 15 years ago, who, after being subjected to standard treatment, presents progressive and clinical manifestations compatible with an active pituitary function. Conclusions: the patient relapsed effect of the disease with persistency of the benign tumor, due to the discontinuation of treatment and insufficient monitoring of the case; therefore strict monitoring is essential in patients receiving pharmacological therapy and surgical management by the health team. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(2):89-93.

Keywords: Acromegaly. Growth Hormone. Growth Hormone - Secreting Pituitary Adenoma.