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Pancreatic endocrine tumors, also known as neuroendocrine tumors, can be functional or non-functional and may cause symptoms related to hormone secretion or tumor growth. Surgical removal is usually necessary, and treatment may require input from specialists in oncology and endocrinology.
A pancreatic endocrine tumor is a growth that develops from hormone-producing cells in the digestive organ known as the pancreas. Also known as neuroendocrine tumors, these growths are sometimes cancerous. A pancreatic endocrine tumor can be described as functional if it produces pancreatic hormones, or non-functional if it does not. Nonfunctional tumors are most often found to be cancerous, while functional tumors are sometimes cancerous and produce symptoms related to the hormones they secrete. An endocrine tumor of the pancreas usually requires surgical removal, unless it has already spread throughout the body.
Neuroendocrine tumors are growths that develop from the hormone-producing endocrine glands. When these tumors occur in the digestive system, they are known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. A pancreatic endocrine tumor develops specifically from cells within the gland known as the pancreas.
Symptoms of pancreatic endocrine tumor vary depending on whether the tumor is functional or nonfunctional. Non-functional tumors are more common and, as they do not secrete hormones, are likely to cause tumor-related symptoms by blocking or pressing on surrounding structures. Jaundice, where the skin and eyes turn yellow, may be the first noticeable sign. If cancerous spread has occurred, symptoms may be caused by cancer cells growing elsewhere in the body.
A functional pancreatic endocrine tumor causes symptoms due to excessive production of pancreatic hormones. Tumors that produce the hormone insulin are called insulinomas. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels, and excess production can lead to symptoms of hypoglycemia, where blood sugar is too low. Symptoms such as tremors, headaches, and weakness may occur. Insulinomas are not usually cancerous and tend to grow slowly.
Another type of pancreatic endocrine tumor, known as a glucagonoma, produces the hormone glucagon, which also regulates blood sugar. In this case, high blood sugar occurs and symptoms such as anemia and blood clots can develop. Tumors known as gastrinomas secrete excess gastrin, the hormone that stimulates the production of stomach acid, leading to ulcer formation and bleeding.
Other tumors known as VIPomas produce the hormone vasoactive intestinal peptide, or VIP. This causes diarrhea, which is watery, along with nausea and weight loss. The very rare somatostatinoma is a cancerous tumor that gives rise to diabetes, fatty stools and anemia.
Diagnosing and treating a pancreatic endocrine tumor can be difficult and may require the input of specialists in both oncology, or cancer, and endocrinology, or hormones. If the cancer has not metastasized or spread, surgical removal is usually the preferred treatment and may provide a cure. Where spread has occurred, treatments focus on relieving symptoms.
