在尸检和放射学检查中,15%~20% 的正常受试者患有垂体腺瘤。这些腺瘤中,2% 以上显示生长激素免疫染色阳性。在欧洲,临床诊断为肢端肥大症的年发病率曾被估计为每百万人群中 3~4 例,患病率为每百万人群中 35~70 例。2005 年于比利时进行的一项患病率研究发现,每百万人群中有 130 例。[2]Daly AF, Rixhon M, Adam C, et al. High prevalence of pituitary adenomas: a cross-sectional study in the province of Liege, Belgium. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91:4769-4775.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16968795?tool=bestpractice.com 肢端肥大症常常可见于中年男性或女性中,但会发病于任何年龄段。患该病的男女比例相等。[2]Daly AF, Rixhon M, Adam C, et al. High prevalence of pituitary adenomas: a cross-sectional study in the province of Liege, Belgium. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91:4769-4775.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16968795?tool=bestpractice.com[3]Holdaway IM, Rajasoorya C. Epidemiology of acromegaly. Pituitary. 1999;2:29-41.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11081170?tool=bestpractice.com[4]Ezzat S, Asa SL, Couldwell WT, et al. The prevalence of pituitary adenomas: a systematic review. Cancer. 2004;101:613-619.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.20412/fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15274075?tool=bestpractice.com