| 9.) What are other endocrine tumors found in the pancreas and what are their common characteristics?
|
Other endocrine tumors found in the pancreas are as follows:
a. Gastrinomas - These are non beta cell islet tumors. About 25% are solitary and about 10% are microadenomas or hyperplasia. Another 25% are associated with MEN I and are multiple and benign. Malignancy is identified by presence of metastases and vascular invasion. Gastrinomas are located mainly in the head of the pancreas. These tumors are manifested by gastric acid hypersecretion and severe peptic ulcer disease.
b. VIPoma - These tumors are manifested by profuse watery diarrhea causing hypokalemia. They secrete VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide).
c. Glucagonoma - These tumors arise from the alpha cells in the islets. Of these, 25% are benign. These are manifested by dermatitis, anemia, and mild diabetes. Glucagon levels are increased.
d. Somatostatinoma - These tumors present with malabsorption and diarrhea, mild diabetes, and dilatation of the gallbladder. Most are located in the head of the pancreas and most are malignant.
|
|
Questions
