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Courtesy of University of Virgin
Sultan Kosen, the world's tallest man according to the Guiness book of records, received treatment at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Dr. Jason Sheehan (far right) performed radiosurgery to a tumor in Kosen's pituitary gland to stop his excess production of growth hormone. His endocrinologist, Mary Lee Vance, on Kosen's right, placed him on a new medication to help stop his growth.
For three years in a row, Sultan Kosen has been named the world's tallest living man by Guinness World Records. Interestingly, he's earned this lofty distinction at three different heights. Even more fascinating, in the last three months, the 29-year-old Turkish man has only recently stopped growing thanks to receiving state-of-the-art treatment in the U.S.
Kosen first entered the record books at 8 feet 1 inch; at his next measurement, he was listed as 8 feet 2 inches, and now he's achieved his ultimate adult height at 8 feet 3 inches. He's also in the record books for having the largest hands (11.22 inches) and largest feet (14.4 inches).
Kosen's extraordinary stature is a result of gigantism. He developed a pituitary tumor as a child, which caused his pituitary gland to produce an excessive amount of growth hormone.
"That tumor is not cancerous and it is not a brain tumor," says Dr. Mary Lee Vance, an endocrinologist at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Va. "A spontaneous mutation causes the tumor, and it's not hereditary," she explains. Kosen's parents and siblings are all average height.
Vance first learned of Kosen's case and first saw him as a patient in the spring of 2010. The Discovery Channel was doing a show on Kosen as the "World's Tallest Man," and Vance, as an expert in pituitary tumors, was asked to appear on it.
She put Kosen on a new medication (he was already taking two others) to try to bring down his growth hormone levels to a normal range. But medication alone would not be enough, so Vance consulted with a neurosurgeon to explore other options.
Although his pituitary tumor was diagnosed when Kosen was 10 years old, efforts in his native Turkey and elsewhere in Europe to stop the tumor's growth were unsuccessful. He had three prior surgeries attempting to remove the tumor as well as radiation treatment, but Kosen kept growing and growing.
Slideshow: Guinness World Records 2012
"As he was growing taller and taller, he kept getting sicker and sicker," says Dr. Jason Sheehan, a neurosurgeon at the University of Virginia Health System, who also treated Kosen. "He had a very aggressive tumor involving the base of his skull and brain that was in a very difficult location to remove," he explains.
It seems being this tall comes at a steep price. "The human body and heart is not well designed for a person who is 8 (feet) tall," points out Sheehan.
As a result, Kosen's skeletal frame was so big that his joints, bones and muscles were weak in relation to his height. He has joint problems and can't walk without crutches. He had visual problems because the pituitary tumor got so big it was pressing on the nerves of his eyes.
In August of 2010, Dr. Sheehan performed gamma knife radiosurgery. This procedure uses focused beams of gamma rays, which deliver high-energy radiation, and is guided by MRI to targeted points in Kosen's brain.
"Every step of the way, we had to do accommodations for Sultan's height," says Sheehan. In the operating room and during his recovery they had to put two normal-sized hospital beds together. They needed to buy a specialized frame for Sultan's large head size to map out where the gamma rays would go.
Although Kosen did not speak English and had an interpreter with him, Sheehan described him as "a gentle giant," who "knows how to charm people." Kosen also wanted to get his medical condition under control because he wanted to enjoy life more and hopefully get married one day.
But the gamma knife surgery is not an instant fix, points out Sheehan, and "it takes one to two years for the full effects of surgery to be realized."
Just three months ago, Dr. Vance and Dr. Sheehan learned that Kosen's height had finally stabilized and he had stopped growing. The tumor has also stopped growing as has the overproduction of growth hormone.
Although the surgery does not make Kosen shorter and he is still at risk for some health problems because of his towering height, Sheehan says the surgery at least limited any additional risk.
Related:
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- Small wonder: 18-year-old named world's shortest man
- Real-life Irish giants traced to 18th century street performer
- How do blind people dream?
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Leave a Comment:
Wow, is this guy married? I can't imagine his wife or girlfriend's china is very accommodating.
lol. I bet you're right.
Clearly this is the work of Obama.
The article states that he wants to get married some day.
Big hands and big feet. You know what that means ladies. That's right.....big shoes and big mittens :)
*******************HOPING TO GET MARRIED**********************
Here's an article when he was only 8'1 and more pics of him and his family.
http://www.damncoolpictures.com/2009/09/sultan-kosen-worlds-tallest-man-at-81.html
I knew it! Middle school humor. I'll wager some of you guys shout dirty words into drain pipes and giggle like little girls.
He is going to have some serious heart issues in the future. Remember Andre the Giant?
poor guy, I'm happy for him that these people were willing to help him out
Most men aspire to be tall. I always wanted to be well over six feet, but I'm only of average height. This story makes you realize there are drawbacks to extreme height.
I hope this guy can live a relatively normal life.
Spike,
Aquire a sense of humor.........Little boy!!!!!!
If this was the work of Obama, wouldn't this guy be over in the Middle East murdering people?
^more like A Really Fake American
In a related story, "A Real Real American" proves himself to be a douche.
"Spike,
Aquire a sense of humor.........Little boy!!!!!!"
Such "humor" ceased to be funny in the 7th grade. For me, that was 56 years ago.
Really? You read this article and this is the only thought that you have on it.
I guess the demographic here is jr high.
and we thought pau gasol or yao ming was tall. this guy probaly can dunk on a 11 foot rim without jumping.
I watch a special on this man on Discovery Health channel. A friend of his set him up on a blind date. It was actually kind of sad because he was so awkward with his communication skills. Only because he really doesn't have many friends other than doctors and nurses. I am glad they finally cured him of this. If not, he would most definitely have passed away.
A Real Real American more like really, REALLY ignorant, semi-literate teabagger
It's tragic that it couldn't be stopped sooner, but I guess it took the best docs, American docs to stop it. Actually, it may be that in this field there aren't many specialists as Europe does have some great medicine in progressive fields.
What's unfortunate is that very few people with this condition can use it to their advantage; those that are naturally just very tall (basketball players and the like) can go on to use height to their advantage (and have the money to fix and take care of most med problems).... similarly with pro wrestlers over the years. Most, as the article points out, will be lucky to live normal lives, per longetivity and function. I, too, believe that without this intervention he'd not have made it very long and yes, his kidneys, heart, etc... will need to be monitored.
I wish you the best, Kosen.... take care.
Yes, I saw that discovery special on him as well. It was kind of sad because in Turkey your kind of expected to get married and have a family. Those who don't have a hard time fitting in.
Speaking of his friend. I think thats the taller woman in black in the picture. When I watch the show I felt that some how those 2 should be together. She seemed to always have his back and always cared about his well being.
Good to know that he may have a chance at living a better life now.
Real Real American
That was the stupidest thing I have ever heard in my life.
There's plenty of him to go around
I woulda just left the tumor as is to see how tall i could become...
No you wouldn't, not if you were smart enough to realize the health issues that being abnormally tall can cause, starting with serious heart problems.
He will most likely die in a few years. There are tremendous health complications to being tall. I bet you would have liked the tumor gone. Notice he's on crutches. He will never be able to walk normally, fit in most cars, use the shower... shall I continue.
This is a person's life not a stupid movie or a video game. ??
I'm 6'8 and i have health problems. hands and feet get cold even on warm days due to bad circulation. knees and back ache at a young age. i laugh at people who say "i wish i was as tall as you" and they think i joke when i say "no, you don't"
That's not just height though Hamwich, it's also genes. I'm the same height, but my hands and feet are always hot, and I have no joint issues yet, at 42.
More like I can't imagine their bed would be very accomodating. All I can say is, she better be on top. It would be a very bad thing to inadvertently crush one's wife. Plus, it wouldn't be very pleasurable for her either.... A Chawawa and a Sh**zu (the dog you stupid profanity filter, not the word you're trying to censor :p) getting together, comes to mind....
Oh and whale, not advisable.... No doubt it would have lead to a pre-mature death; if his excessive stature doesn't already, due to medical complications. As is, he can't get around on his own; which would make holding a job a bit touchy....
Chawawa...really? Try using spell-check, Einstein. It's chihuahua.
Or just use a docksun if you dont know how to spell chiwawa
Simpleton1 - you certainly gave yourself an appropriate name.
Wow...so much fail here. @Nuadormrac: Chihuahua and shih tzu. And they're both fairly small dogs. @scales67: Simpleton1 was obviously mocking the original misspelling by misspelling another breed (although he also managed to misspell the original misspelling). Hmm...
Ukranian Leonid Stadnyk is probably still world's tallest. Estimated by Guiness in 2007 to be 8'5 or 8'6", but he refuses to be officially measured. Doesn't like the attention. Plenty of info about him online.
hey thanks inspector gadget!!!
Well, so much for the reclusion...
How about Robert Wadlow? The guy was a confirmed 8' 11'' at his death in 1940.
Tallest "living man." Next R-tard please.
Wow so a guiness record someone keeps only while they are living... That's bs. A record should be a record.
There's records for both. The tallest ever and the tallest living.
Kind of feel sorry for the guy being that tall. If his muscles were made for that height he would have been awesome in the NBA.
Science needs to figure out a way to implant the "gigantism" gene into another human being. Just think of the possibilities- The NBA would set all KINDS of records.....!
14.4 inch feet can't be a record.....
You're right, Shaq's feet are much bigger, they must have talking about his middle leg.
...or, at LEAST inject it into a Pea nus....
Thats great that he came to the good ole USA and recived treatment to stop growing. Thank you greatly for spending no money and getting free treatment. Where were all thes wonderful people when my 18 month old needed hospitalization?
Well, his height made it into the Guinness Book. His hands made it; so did his feet. So, since they already went all of the way to visit him in Turkey, why didn't they just go ahead and measure his winkie? Surely, this must be larger than the 11 inch average as well...
Since when is 11" the average? I swear all guys only think of one thing! I don't watch porn & was married to the same man for almost 25 yrs. I'm not quite sure what you would do with a penis that large, anyway. A woman's vagina only goes so far.
I am quite sure what I'd do with it!
The average is 5 to 6 inches..
Hugh probably is using one of those trick rulers that they sell to fishermen. You know, the ones that say 12" but are really only 7.5" long?
@Loves. . .
I propose that all women get one shot of testosterone. That way you can feel just what's going on in our head(s) even if it's for a short time. Then maybe you wont make such sexist statements. Now only to be fair, all men should get one shot of estrogen and that way maybe we would see why. . . . ah, never mind.
Although his pituitary tumor was diagnosed when Kosen was 10 years old, efforts in his native Turkey and elsewhere in Europe to stop the tumor's growth were unsuccessful. He had three prior surgeries attempting to remove the tumor as well as radiation treatment, but Kosen kept growing and growing.
I thought that European free healthcare was the best.
yes because this is such a common problem. there is a place for specialization and a place for serving common needs and a place to make healthcare wisecracks and a place to shut your mouth
Why so hostile? Fred nailed it, and he's 100% correct. The rest of the FREAKING world couldn't solve his issue so he came HERE. For the best healthcare in the world and it isn't free.
I'm not saying I'm crazy tall, but I'm 6'6" and find it pretty hard to find clothes that fit someone tall and not obese. I bet this guy pays a fortune just to clothe himself.
John, Tall dot org has links to tall men's clothiers.
Sandy, you're the best! I'm 6'8" and 300 lbs. Although I have a place in town that I regularly shop (Casual Male), I had no idea there was actually a website for the abnormal sized among us.
Thanks!
Thats great that he came to the good ole USA and recieved FREE treatment. where were theses people when I needed help with my 18 month old. I'm stuck with a hospital bill of $110,000 and thats after insurance covered there piece. It,s great to see that once again we can give it away to someone outside the country but can't find help for the people that live in America. Go America you make me proud!
He's a Protoss.
Think he also has the worlds longest ****?
Why don't you ask him if you can see it, then you can let us all know!!
prettylady261: like your style - couple of good pokes tonight...
I feel bad for him, I hope he gets well and lives a somewhat "normal" life.
On a lighter note...I heard his "thing" is so big it has a knee in the middle.
Reminds me when a man after he saved the life of a baby-crock was told by the Mother-Crock that he may wish one thing as a reward. The man said I wish "it" reached the ground. The Mother-crock bit off his legs and said you got it. Careful what you wish, you may get it. :))
I sympathize with this man because I am 5'2". He will always be ridiculed by brain dead @!$%#ing douchebags.
Yes, like the tasteless posters on this site who just can't stand it if they don't make comments about issues that should remain personal. What is even more disgusting than the comments is that there are so many of them.
There is a social club for tall people in the United States and Europe for women over 5'10" and men over 6'2" (tall dot org). However, this person surpasses the tallest person I know of in the club. One of my friends is 7'3" and though not a basketball player, people ask him that question all of the time and gawk at him. He is a gentle giant too.
I hope he can live as normal a life as possible, finds a woman who loves him, and hopefully have a family and be a great father.
I think he's married now.
Women were lined up three blocks to hook him (or his...). :)
Can none of you read?
Best of luck to him and his health. There's someone for just about everyone I bet he gets his wish and gets married. I'm about a foot taller than my wife so for him someone 6'3" isn't too far of a stretch.
Now that's a tall tale!
who is the insurance carrier and who's paying for this? how does a foreign man who doesn't even speak english get treatment in the US when so many of our US citizens get denied health insurance even if they want to pay for it if they have pre existing conditions not even remote to his? i wish him the best but just curious.
It isn't uncommon for some medical professionals to volunteer their services in return for being able to publish and be the face of the procedure work. A lot of procedures and treatments require experimentation - I'm sure there were plenty of "small print" documents he had to sign. In return, treatment options. Lookup Manuel the fat guy from Monterrey, or the Elephant/Tree man or 8 legged girl.
LN1958362 - you don't keep up with current events in this country, do you? Obama passed a health care bill in March of 2010 that requires state governments to offer coverage to people with pre-existing conditions who have been denied insurance by insurance companies.
The Discovery Channel is also doing a special on him, so that may have helped to cover some of the expenses. That said they also never mention what kind of financial situation he comes from, for all we know he may come from an extremely wealthy family.
Most importantly, however, is that it doesn't really matter how he was able to get the treatment, he was able to and hopefully he will be able to live a long healthy life going forward. I agree that we need further health reform in the U.S. but there is a time for politics and there is a time to simply be happy for someone and leave the politics aside.
I thought The Guiness book of World Records declared Leonid Stadnik, 36, who lives in a small poor village in northwestern Ukraine, is 2.57 meters (8 feet and 5.5 inches) tall the tallest man in the world.
I have a good friend in Kansas that is just shy of 7'8", no gigantism disease just very large parents. He is married, works and leaves a very quiet life. The hardest thing for him is finding shoes and not having drunk guys try to start bar fights with him.