Hypothalamic–pituitary–somatotropic axis with growth hormone deficiency or Laron syndrome ( insensitivity) show symptoms like short stature, dwarfism and obesity, but are also protected from some forms of cancer. Conversely, acromegaly and gigantism are conditions of GH and IGF-1 excess usually due to a pituitary tumor, and are characterized by overgrowth and tall stature. Hypothalamic–pituitary–somatotropic axis The hypothalamic–pituitary–somatotropic axis (HPS axis), or hypothalamic–pituitary–somatic axis, also known as the hypothalamic–pituitary–growth axis, is a hypothalamic–pituitary axis which includes the secretion of growth hormone (GH; somatotropin) from the somatotropes of the pituitary gland into the circulation and the subsequent stimulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1;
Pituitary apoplexy can be applied as a nose spray or taken by mouth. Pituitary apoplexy is rare. Even in people with a known pituitary tumor, only 0.6–10% experience apoplexy; the risk is higher in larger tumors. Based on extrapolations from existing data, one would expect 18 cases of pituitary apoplexy per one million people every year; the actual figure is probably lower. The average age at onset is 50; cases have reported in people between 15 and 90 years old. Men are affected more commonly than women, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.6. The majority of the underlying tumors are "null cell"