Necrolytic Migratory Erythema Associated With Glucagonoma Syndrome

Glucagonoma syndrome associated with necrolytic migratory erythema

Summary Introduction: glucagonoma is a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor derived from alpha-cells of the islets of Langerhans. It is marked by tumoral autonomous production of glucagon and characterized, among other symptoms, by necrolytic migratory erythema, an erythematous circinate lesion with areas of necrosis and sloughing. This is a rare disease with worldwide incidence estimated at 1 case per 20 million people. Case report: we report a case of glucagonoma associated necrolytic migratory erythema in a male patient, 56 years, with signs of skin lesions mainly on his legs and groin, hyperglycemia and weight loss. Biopsies of the skin lesions were performed and imaging of the abdomen showed a mass of 10 x 9 cm, at the pancreatic region. The patient was subjected to body-caudal pancreatectomy and splenectomy with autotransplant of the spleen in the greater omentum. The histopathologic report indicated a tumor in the pancreatic alpha cells. Immunohistochemistry showed expression of glucagon and chromogranin A in most tumor cells, consistent with the diagnosis of glucagonoma. The patient presented 3 years of outpatient follow-up with no complications. Conclusion: the necrolytic migratory erythema is important for the clinical recognition of glucagonoma, and its early diagnosis is essential for a successful curative therapy.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pancreatic NETs) are rare, low- to intermediate-grade neoplasms thought to arise from the pancreatic islets. Recent advances in pathology and our understanding of the biological behavior of this group of tumors has resulted in changes in their nomenclature and how we treat them. This review puts into perspective our current understanding of pancreatic NETs in terms of their incidence, pathology, and management.

Neoplastic/paraneoplastic dermatitis, fasciitis, and panniculitis

The skin changes outlined in this article can be important clues to an underlying malignancy. Paraneoplastic dermatoses are skin disorders associated with an underlying neoplasm and whose course parallels that of the neoplasm. Recognizing these skin presentations leads to early diagnosis and management of the underlying malignancy. Effective treatment of the associated neoplasm often leads to improvement of the cutaneous manifestations and should be the primary focus of each patient's management.