Acromegaly and Who It Affects

Acromegaly research scientists estimate that 3 out of every 1 million people develop acromegaly each year. In addition, 40 to 60 people out of 1 million are estimated to have the disease at any given time. It is difficult to know for certain the figures related to acromegaly and who it affects, because the condition is often misdiagnosed.

 

Acromegaly and Who It Affects: A Summary

Small pituitary adenomas (known as pituitary microadenomas) are common. During autopsies, they are found in up to 25% of the U.S. population. However, these tumors rarely cause symptoms or produce excessive growth hormone (GH) or other pituitary hormones.
 
Scientists estimate that about 3 out of every 1 million people develop acromegaly each year and that 40 to 60 out of every 1 million people suffer from the disease at any given time. However, because the clinical diagnosis of acromegaly is often missed, these numbers probably underestimate the frequency with which acromegaly occurs.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD