What condition is characterized by enlargement of the bones in the hands, feet, jaw, and cheeks due to overgrowth of bone and soft tissue?

The condition characterized by the enlargement of bones in the hands, feet, jaw, and cheeks due to overgrowth of bone and soft tissue is acromegaly. This disorder is caused by an excess of growth hormone, usually due to a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. As a result, the body continues to grow and bones and tissues become enlarged after normal growth has finished, which usually occurs after puberty.

Acromegaly manifests with distinctive physical changes such as enlarged hands and feet, facial changes, and thicker skin. It is typically diagnosed in adults, as it occurs after growth plates have fused. In contrast, osteoporosis involves the weakening of bones, making them fragile and prone to fractures, while dwarfism is a condition leading to short stature due to genetic or hormonal factors, and gigantism results in excessive growth hormone during childhood before the epiphyseal plates close.