A case of acromegaly complicated with diabetic ketoacidosis, pituitary apoplexy, and lymphoma

Abstract

Acromegaly is always complicated with comorbidities and increased mortality. The disease activity and mortality outcomes are highly correlated to the level of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1. A variety of clinical manifestations of acromegaly have been reported. We present a unique case where a 49-year-old male was diagnosed with acromegaly with a first manifestation as an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis. Because he refused any suggestion of treatment, a recurrent episode of diabetic ketoacidosis with pituitary apoplexy occurred. A huge B-cell lymphoma displaying as a huge facial mass followed within 1 year of the diagnosis of acromegaly. Death from advanced cancer ensued 3 years later. This clinical experience strongly reinforces the urgency of controlling growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 as soon as possible once acromegaly is diagnosed.

Keywords

• Acromegaly
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Lymphoma
• Pituitary apoplexy