Acromegaly is associated with which type of adenoma?

Acromegaly is primarily associated with somatotropic adenoma, which is a type of pituitary adenoma. This condition results from excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) due to the presence of the adenoma. In adults, elevated levels of growth hormone lead to the overgrowth of bones and soft tissues, which is the hallmark of acromegaly. The condition typically manifests after epiphyseal closure in adulthood, causing changes such as enlarged hands and feet, facial feature alterations, and other systemic effects.

The other adenoma types listed do not produce excess growth hormone, which is crucial for the development of acromegaly. For instance, corticotropic adenomas are associated with Cushing's disease due to excess production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), while prolactinomas lead to hyperprolactinemia, affecting reproductive and menstrual functions, rather than growth hormone levels. Medullary carcinoma is a type of thyroid cancer and is unrelated to adenomatous changes in the pituitary gland or acromegaly. Thus, the identification of somatotropic adenoma as the cause of acromegaly is rooted in its role in the direct overproduction of growth hormone.