MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Acromegaly and cancer: an old debate revisited

Abstract

Based on experimental and animal models, epidemiological data from non-acromegaly populations, and longitudinal and cross-sectional cohorts of patients with acromegaly, a potential association between acromegaly and cancer has long been hypothesized, in particular colorectal cancer, and, to a lesser extent, breast, thyroid and prostate cancers. the exact mechanisms underlying this potential association have not been fully elucidated. Results from studies examining cancer incidence and mortality in acromegaly have been inconsistent, with some demonstrating increased risk, whereas others show no increase. this article reviews the existing data relating to cancer risk and mortality in acromegaly, exploring the limitations of study designs and the impact of changes in disease control and patient outcomes over time.

Changes in the management and comorbidities of acromegaly over three decades: the French Acromegaly Registry

“…New polyps were found in only 25 of our patients (Supplementary Table 1). Acromegaly control is reported to be the best predictor of the absence of new polyps (44). In our cohort, ULN IGF-I levels predicted the presence of colorectal polyps, independently of age, BMI and gender.…”

Secondary Intracranial Tumors Following Radiotherapy for Pituitary Adenomas: A Systematic Review

“…A connection between functional pituitary adenomas and the incidence of cancers has to be investigated, since certain hormones might act as promoters of oncogenesis following irradiation. Actually, patients with acromegaly have been shown to have increased incidence of malignant tumor [106,107,108], as shown in our data the latency period is shorter in patients with GH secreting adenoma compared to that of non-functioning adenomas. The association between functioning pituitary adenoma and secondary intracranial tumor is unclear.…”

The Somatotropic Axis in Human Aging: Framework for the Current State of Knowledge and Future Research

“…Patients with acromegaly, characterized by excess GH secretion, have been noted to have an increased risk of multiple cancers, including colon, thyroid, and prostate (Boguszewski and Ayuk, 2016), while Laron dwarfs appear to be protected from malignancy (Guevara-Aguirre et al, 2011; Steuerman et al, 2011). .…”