Acromegaly Support Group

Having read John's recent update after his surgery, it's made me question (again) what is the benefit of surgery for people with macroadenomas.

I've seen 2 surgeon's each who say that current opinion is to operate to try to cure us, and that injections of octreotide before surgery is a relatively new approach to try to shrink the tumour before surgery, but that, the benefit of doing it beforehand is still unproved from a surgical prospective.

The endocrinologist is doubtful that I would be cured by surgery, the 2 surgeon's think I have a good chance of a 'complete cure', but who knows? The Octreotide injections having drastically reduced by IGF-1 levels to below the normal range, the soft tissue swelling has definitely reduced on my hands, feet and face and the tumour has had a slight reduction.

What worries me is that I'll have surgery, not be cured as they won't be able to get it all, will then be prescribed Octreotide (again) and might have damage done to my pituitary gland due to surgery. Which makes me question - what is the point.

My endocrinolgist stated that he was concerned by my having octreotide long term due to my age. I'm 47 is that too young for taking this drug long term?

Any help or advice would be welcomed as I've been yo-yo'ing backwards and forwards, and had tentively set a date for 10th August for my surgery and now don't know if I should cancel it.
Posted on 07/01/09, 07:07 am