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Symptom: Neuroendocrine Tumors
The function of an endocrine gland is to produce hormones. Hormones are substances that act as messengers. They are made in one part of the body, travel through the blood stream, and affect another part of the body. Pancreatic hormones are produced by a specific group of cells in the pancreas called islet cells. Islet cells produce hormones that regulate blood sugar level, stomach acid production, the rate of food absorption and amount of water in the intestines.
Endocrine tumors in the pancreas, also called neuroendocrine or islet cell tumors, arise from the islet cells. These tumors are divided into functional (produce hormones) and nonfunctional (produce no hormones) tumors. The following table describes symptoms specific to functional endocrine tumors.
| Functional Endocrine Tumor of the Pancreas |
Substance Overproduced |
Symptoms |
Gastrinoma
(Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome) |
gastrin |
Similar to peptic ulcer disease, an elevated level of gastrin can cause burning abdominal pain, acid reflux, diarrhea and weight loss. |
| Glucaganoma |
glucagon |
High blood sugar can cause severe swelling or irritation of the skin, sore mouth, anemia, and weight loss. |
| Insulinoma |
insulin |
Low blood sugar can cause heart palpitations, shakiness, perspiration, confusion and seizures. |
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type-1
(MEN1)
(Wermer Syndrome) |
various hormones including: gastrin, insulin, glucagon and parathyroid |
Ulcers and blood sugar problems are common. Hyperparathyroidism, or having too much thyroid hormone, can cause high blood calcium (hypercalcemia) which can lead to generalized weakness, bone abnormalities, constipation and changes in mental state. |
| Somatostatinoma |
somatostatin |
This hormone suppresses production of a variety of other hormones which can cause diabetes, gallstones, weight loss, diarrhea, excess fat in the stools, steatorrhea, nausea and vomiting. |
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Releasing Tumor
(VIPoma or Verner-Morrison Syndrome) |
vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) |
Severe watery diarrhea can lead to low blood potassium levels causing muscle weakness, fatigue and nausea. |
Nonfunctional islet cell tumors do not overproduce pancreatic hormones. They are generally detected because of pain or jaundice caused by the large tumor size.
The information and services provided by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. are for informational purposes only. The information and services are not intended to be substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are ill, or suspect that you are ill, see a doctor immediately! The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network does not recommend nor endorse any specific physicians, products or treatments even though they may be mentioned on this site. 080922
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