Measurement of Outcome of Surgical Treatment in Patients With Acromegaly
Measurement of Outcome of Surgical Treatment in Patients With Acromegaly
OBJECTIVES: I. Compare growth hormone (GH) levels at baseline and after glucose suppression
 measured with both a polyclonal radioimmunoassay and a highly sensitive immunoradiometric
 assay (IRMA) in patients with acromegaly and normal volunteers.

 II. Measure the levels of IGF-I and its binding protein, IGFBP-3, in these cohorts.

 III. Determine any correlation between levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and GH suppressibility as
 assessed by sensitive IRMA.

 IV. Determine if patients who demonstrate biochemical features of mild GH excess are at risk
 for progression to active disease.
PROTOCOL OUTLINE: Blood samples are collected and assessed for growth hormone and IGF-I by
 polyclonal radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). Growth hormone is
 measured at baseline and 60, 90, and 120 minutes after a 100 g glucose drink. Serum glucose
 is measured at baseline and at 2 hours post dextrose administration by the glucose hexokinase
 method.

 Clinical scores are determined for headache, perspiration, fatigue, joint pain, and acne.

 Exams and tests may be repeated every 6 months for 2 years.
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

 --Disease Characteristics--

 Diagnosis of acromegaly and treated with transsphenoidal surgery

 Biochemically and histologically confirmed growth hormone secreting tumor

 OR

 Healthy volunteers

 --Prior/Concurrent Therapy--

 Surgery:

 -  See Disease Characteristics

 -  Greater than 6 months since prior surgery

 Other: At least 1 month since prior bromocriptine or octreotide

 --Patient Characteristics--

 Performance status: Ambulatory

 Hepatic: No active hepatic disease

 Renal: No active renal disease

 Other:

 -  No diabetes mellitus

 -  No glucose intolerance

 -  Hypopituitarism allowed if on stable doses of replacement therapy