Insulinoma Flashcards
1
Q
What is an Insulinoma?
A
An insulinoma is a neuroendocrine tumour deriving mainly from pancreatic Islets of Langerhans cells
2
Q
Epidemiology?
A
- most common pancreatic endocrine tumour
- 10% malignant, 10% multiple
- of patients with multiple tumours, 50% have MEN-1
3
Q
What are the features of inulinoma?
A
- of hypoglycaemia: typically early in morning or just before meal, e.g. diplopia, weakness etc
- rapid weight gain may be seen
- high insulin, raised proinsulin:insulin ratio
- high C-peptide
4
Q
How is an insulinoma diagnosed?
A
- supervised, prolonged fasting (up to 72 hours)
- CT pancreas
5
Q
What is the management of insulinoma?
A
- surgery
- diazoxide and somatostatin if patients are not candidates for surgery
