Acromegaly — A Stubborn Therapeutic Challenge

Abstract

Early experience with radioimmunoassay established that plasma growth hormone (GH) remained elevated with high frequency in acromegalic patients who had received conventional x-ray treatment. Because of these findings the view has been prevalent that this form of treatment was virtually without benefit. In this issue of the Journal, Roth, Gorden and Brace argue that conventional irradiation is as good as other forms of treatment and is associated with fewer adverse reactions. Eighteen patients received 4000 to 4500 R by conventional supravoltage machines, and two patients were treated with cobalt irradiation. Plasma GH fell in nearly all. In patients followed . . .