Doege-Potter syndrome presenting as 'end-stage renal disease-associated hypoglycaemia': a primary presentation of retroperitoneal sarcoma

Is Hypoglycemia Secondary to Metastatic Retroperitoneal Sarcoma -A Therapeutic Challenge? Case Report and Review of Literature

Most soft tissue sarcomas afflict the extremities; however, the retro peritoneum can also be affected rarely. Retroperitoneal sarcomas are relatively asymptomatic. Although tumor-induced hypoglycemia is rare in tumors other than insulinomas, extrapancreatic tumors are a subset that displays this phenomenon. The occurrence of hypo-insulinemic hypoglycemia with low GH and IGF-1 should prompt consideration of the secretion of a hypoglycemic substance impeding the secretion of insulin and GH, such as IGF-2 or one of its related substances. The present case report is of a 38-year-old male with retroperitoneal round cell sarcoma with liver metastasis with severe symptomatic hypoglycemia who was managed with multipronged symptomatic therapy and oncological management after which he had shown significant improvement in hypoglycemic episodes and symptom profile. A literature review revealed our case report to be the first reported case of a young male (preponderance in the older population) with hypoglycemia associated with retroperitoneal sarcoma which presented with liver metastasis and the only one treated with Gemcitabine /Docetaxel. The presence of these features might point toward a poorer prognosis in a disease with an already dismal course. All these points towards the need for further research regarding intensified oncological treatment after evidence-based prognostication of high-risk groups and modalities for the management of symptomatic hypoglycemia such as Somatostatin analogs and glucagon which aid in symptom control.

Outside the Thorax: Doege-Potter Syndrome Presenting as a Retroperitoneal Abdominal Mass

Objective

We present a case of refractory hypoglycemia, weight loss, and retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor. Case report. A 68-year-old female presented with symptomatic hypoglycemia, weight loss, and abdominal mass identified on CT scan of the abdomen. Blood work during symptomatic hypoglycemia was consistent with an IGF-2-producing tumor. The abdominal mass pathology was consistent with solitary fibrous tumor surrounding the adrenal gland, and resection resulted in complete resolution of hypoglycemia. Discussion. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms behind glucose regulation is necessary to diagnose and adequately treat Doege–Potter syndrome, a paraneoplastic syndrome observed in patients with solitary fibrous tumors. Solitary fibrous tumors can be characterized by specific histologic and immunohistochemical studies.

Conclusion

This report describes the clinical workup of a patient presenting with hypoglycemia and a retroperitoneal tumor. This case is unique because of its presentation with severe, refractory hypoglycemia and the tumor's location in the retroperitoneum, given the majority of solitary fibrous tumors are found in the lungs originating from the pleura.