Gender Differences in Solid Organ Malignant Tumors and Mood Disorders in Patients with Acromegaly

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-22-2025

Publication Title

J Endocr Soc

Keywords

carbohydrate mixture plus electrolytes, acromegaly, anxiety, body mass, Caucasian, cavernous sinus, clinical article, comorbidity, conference abstract, cross-sectional study, depression, diagnosis, female, follow up, gender, growth hormone release, human, hypophysis tumor, male, middle aged, mood disorder, prevalence, retrospective study, sex difference, surgery, tertiary care center, tumor volume

Abstract

Background: Acromegaly is a rare disorder caused by a pathological increase in growth hormone secretion. An increased prevalence of malignant solid organ tumors and mood disorders, in particular, depression and anxiety has been reported in patients with acromegaly. There is limited data in the literature regarding gender differences in acromegaly patients and the associated co-morbidities. Objective: To determine gender differences in presentation and long-term risk of solid organ malignant tumors and mood disorders in patients with acromegaly. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with acromegaly over a 28-year period (Jan 1996- Dec 2024). Setting: Academic primary and tertiary care setting Main outcomes measured: Prevalence of malignant solid organ tumors and mood disorders (depression and anxiety) in patients with acromegaly. Results: In this retrospective study of consecutive 111 acromegaly patients [(59 women (53%) with a median age of 45 years at diagnosis , 85 white (77% ), 16 black (14%) and 10 other races (9%)] were included. There was no significant difference in age, body mass index (BMI), tumor size, Insulin Growth Factor (IGF) - 1 levels and follow up period between men and women with acromegaly. 15 patients (14%, 5 female) were diagnosed with solid organ malignant tumors [Thyroid (n=3), colon (n=5), breast (n=4), prostate (n=4), skin (n=1), and lung (n=1)]. 33 patients (30%, 23 women) were diagnosed with mood disorders [Depression (n=11, 10%), Anxiety (n=7, 6%) and both (n=15, 14%)]. In multivariate analyses (age , BMI at diagnosis, pre-op IGF-1 levels, tumor size , presence of cavernous sinus invasion and need for adjuvant treatment): (i) age less that 44 at diagnosis (p=0.047), tumor size >18mm (p<0.0001) and presence of cavernous sinus invasion (p=0.028) were associated with increased risk of solid organ malignancies, and (ii) female gender (p=0.009) was a significant predictor of mood disorders. Conclusions: In patients with acromegaly, younger age at diagnosis and larger pituitary tumor with cavernous sinus invasion are significant predictors of increased risk of solid organ malignancies. Female acromegaly patients are at increased risk of mood disorders. Screening for solid organ malignancies and mood disorders is warranted during follow up of acromegaly patients.

Volume

9

First Page

A821

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