How common is acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a rare medical condition.
In one U.S. study, the rates of acromegaly were relatively constant across 2008-2012 with approximately 11 cases per million people.
Worldwide, it has been estimated that there are only around 3 to 4 people per million people in the general population newly diagnosed with acromegaly each year. There are thought to be about 40 to 125 people per million of the population living with the condition.
Diagnosing acromegaly
Find out how acromegaly is diagnosed and the tests that healthcare professionals may use to assess acromegaly symptoms
Who gets acromegaly?
Men and women are affected equally.
The average age of diagnosis is early to mid-40s.
Very rarely, acromegaly can be diagnosed in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents will, however, develop gigantism, whereas adults develop acromegaly.
Is acromegaly hereditary?
The vast majority of people have tumours that secrete growth hormone and develop spontaneously in the pituitary gland.
Thus, acromegaly is sporadic, meaning it is not inherited. When acromegaly develops at an early age some cases have an identifiable genetic mutation.
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Learn about acromegaly
Learn about acromegaly including how excess growth hormone released by a pituitary tumour causes this slowly evolving condition, and the early symptoms and signs of acromegaly.
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Find out more about acromegaly
Diagnosing acromegaly
Find out how acromegaly is diagnosed and the tests that healthcare professionals may use to assess acromegaly symptoms
Treating acromegaly
Read about acromegaly treatment options, including surgery, medication and radiotherapy, and the goals of therapy
Acromegaly FAQs
Read answers to some common questions that patients with acromegaly have asked
