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from | Encarta |  |
Gigantism |
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| Gigantism results from the overproduction of growth hormone during childhood or adolescence. The arms and legs grow especially long, and height can surpass 2.4 m (8 ft). The disorder is caused by a pituitary tumor that, if untreated, usually kills the patient by early adulthood. If the tumor develops after growth of the long bones is complete, the result is a condition called acromegaly, characterized by a long face, jutting jaw, and large feet and hands. | ||||||
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| Martin Rotker/Phototake NYC | ||||||
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| Appears in these articles: | ||||||
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| Endocrine System; Gigantism | ||||||
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