Complications of acromegaly: thyroid and colon.

INTRODUCTION: In acromegaly the long-term exposure to high growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may result in specific complications in different human organs, including the thyroid gland and the colon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We will review here the evidence available regarding the characteristic thyroid and colon complications in acromegaly.

RESULTS: This review summarizes the published data observing noncancerous structural abnormalities (thyroid nodules, colonic polyps) and thyroid and colon cancer in patients diagnosed with acromegaly.

CONCLUSION: Thyroid micro-carcinomas are probably over-diagnosed among acromegalic patients. In regard to colon cancer, there is no sufficient data to suggest that colon cancer risk is higher in acromegaly compared to the general population.