Endocrine Tumours of the Pancreas

Question 1

How can endocrine tumours of the pancreas be classified?

Answer 1

As functional or non-functional.

Question 2

What are they associated with?

Answer 2

Multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 syndrome (MEN1) with hyperparathyroidism, endocrine pancreatic tumours and pituitary tumours

Question 3

Answer 3

Question 4

Investigations

Answer 4

Should be discussed with MDT

Blood tests should be done and enzyme assays

CT imaging, MRI imaging and/or endoscopic USS

Intra-arterial calcium with digital subtraction angiography can also be used.

Question 5

Management

Answer 5

Small <1cm that are non-functional can simply be observed

Larger or functioning tumours should be resected

Somatostatin analogues can be used to control and ameliorate the effects of homronal hypersecretions (even in somatostatinomas)