Menakuru SR, Priscu A, Dhillon VS, Salih A. Diabetic Ketoacidosis as the Initial Presenting Symptom of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Discussion about Screening Utilizing ENDPAC Scoring Coupled with CT Scans and Endoscopic Ultrasound.
Case Rep Oncol 2022;
15:942-949. [PMID:
36636678 PMCID:
PMC9830293 DOI:
10.1159/000526198]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is often discovered at an advanced stage due to a lack of early symptomology, resulting in this being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the USA. The relationship between diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer has been known for many years; however, it is not well understood. Studies have suggested that long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 1.5-2.0-fold. However, patients with new-onset diabetes over 50 years of age have an 8-fold higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Evidence has shown that pancreatic cancer causes diabetes, with the majority being new onset. Diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs in long-term hyperglycemia, as an initial presentation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is rare, and only a few cases have been reported. It is postulated that pancreatic cancer prevents insulin-producing cells of the pancreas from responding to insulin resistance. The enriching new-onset diabetes for pancreatic cancer (ENDPAC) score may be utilized as a screening tool for pancreatic carcinomas as an early diagnosis may lead to cure by surgery instead of the grave prognosis associated with it. In this case report, we discuss a 52-year-old female presenting with symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis who was then subsequently found to have stage-4 pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We concluded that if a patient presents with new-onset diabetes, abdominal imaging with CT scans and endoscopic ultrasound may be warranted to rule out pancreatic carcinoma.
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