What is first-line treatment for acromegaly?
Transsphenoidal surgical excision of the pituitary adenoma is usually first-line treatment in acromegaly. The procedure is associated with an overall remission rate of 72% for noninvasive adenomas following primary surgery.8 Surgical remission rates are lower in patients with macroadenomas because these tumours are large, fibrous, and frequently invasive, making complete resection unlikely.9,10 Unfortunately, macroadenomas constitute the majority of tumours detected in patients with acromegaly on initial presentation. These patients will likely be placed on medical therapy such as Sandostatin® LAR®.
