Glucagonoma syndrome with severe erythematous rash: A rare case report

RATIONALE

Glucagonoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. Glucagonoma syndrome is often misdiagnosed as other skin lesions by clinicians due to a typical clinical sign of necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) with severe erythematous rash.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 48-year-old female patient was admitted to our department because she presented with unclear recurrent severe erythematous rash. The patient was diagnosed as skin disease.

DIAGNOSES

Histopathologic examination revealed a pancreatic glucagonoma. Immnohistochemical staining of tumor tissue was positive for glucagon.

INTERVENTIONS

The distal pancreatectomy plus splenectomy was performed in 2017.

OUTCOMES

The skin lesions disappeared after surgery. She was followed up and showed no recurrence until now.

LESSONS

Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of glucagonoma according to the typical initial symptoms. Early diagnosis is very important to provide a better prognosis. A multidisciplinary approach is effective in patients with unresectable metastatic tumors.

Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy and lymphadenectomy for glucagonoma syndrome: A case report

RATIONALE

Glucagonoma is a rare type of functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that is characterized by distinctive clinical manifestations; among these, necrolytic migratory erythema represents the hallmark clinical sign of glucagonoma syndrome and is usually presented as the initial complaint of patients.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 30-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of diffuse erythematous ulcerating skin rash for more than 10 months. He also complained of hyperglycemia and a weight loss of 15 kg in those months.

DIAGNOSIS

This patient underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan which showed a pancreatic body mass measuring approximately 6 cm with low density accompanied by partial calcification in plain scanning images and uneven enhancement in strengthening periods. In addition, laboratory tests indicated elevated fasting blood glucagon (1109 pg/mL, normal range: 50-150 pg/mL) levels. Glucagonoma syndrome was ultimately diagnosed in clinical.

INTERVENTION

Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy was conducted and postoperative pathology revealed the presence of glucagonoma.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered uneventfully with the glucagonoma syndrome disappeared soon after surgery, and the postoperative plasma glucagon decreased to a normal level. Follow-up showed no recurrence for 5 years since the surgery.

LESSONS

The treatment of glucagonoma should be directed according to the stage at which the disease is diagnosed. Surgery is currently the only method available to cure the tumor, although medications are given to patients who present with advanced glucagonoma and who are not candidates for operation. Multidisciplinary therapy and multimodality treatment are advised, although these have been systematically evaluated to a lesser degree.

A Novel Missense Mutation of the MEN1 Gene in a Patient with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with Glucagonoma and Obesity

A 35-year-old obese diabetic man presented with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism during a three-year outpatient follow-up. He was clinically diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) due to the presence of a pituitary adenoma and multiple glucagonomas. The glucagonomas may have affected his glycemic control. However, he did not demonstrate weight loss, suggesting that the patient's obesity could have obscured the early diagnosis of a glucagonoma. Genetic testing revealed a novel missense mutation at codon 561 in exon 10, resulting in an amino acid substitution from methionine to arginine (M561R) in the MEN1 gene. This mutation appeared to be responsible for the MEN1 pathogenicity.

Enhanced glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in a patient with glucagonoma: implications for glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion from pancreatic α cells in vivo

We examined GLP-1 secretion from the pancreas of a patient with glucagonoma and pancreatic resection by measuring GLP-1 after meal ingestion or selective arterial calcium injection, and immunohistochemical analysis. Our findings support the notion that GLP-1 is secreted from pancreatic α cells in humans.

Pancreatic glucagonoma metastasising to the right ovary five years after initial surgery: a case report

CONTEXT

Glucagonomas of the pancreas are neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) that arise from well-differentiated neuroendocrine cells within the pancreatic islets. They are considered to be aggressive NETs and often have metastases at initial presentation. In contrast localised glucagonoma without metastatic spread may have prolonged disease free survival with radical resectional surgery.

CASE REPORT

The authors present a case of a glucagonoma that initially presented with classical necrolytic migratory erythema and a large solitary mass in the body and tail of the pancreas that was surgically resected. Five years after surgery the patient presented with increased serum glucagon levels and a mass in the right ovary. Pathology of the resected ovary after oophorectomy identified this as an isolated metastatic glucagonoma.

CONCLUSION

Glucagonoma is a rare pancreatic NET that has significant malignant potential. This is the first case of a pancreatic glucagonoma metastasising to the ovary 5 years after radical distal pancreatosplenectomy.

[Diagnosis and treatment of glucagonoma: report of one case]

glucagonoma is a rare islet alpha-cell tumor. We report a case of glucagonoma in a 55-year-old male patient with such clinical findings of necrolytic migratory erythema, diabetes mellitus, body weight loss, and anemia. CT examination found a space-occupying lesion in the pancreas, and an elevated serum glucagon level indicate the diagnosis of glucagonoma, which was confirmed postoperatively by pathological examination of the tumor tissue. A definite diagnosis of glucagonoma relies on pathological report, and so far no standard treatment strategy has been available for this tumor. Surgical resection is an effective means for treatment of glucagonoma.

Glucagonoma and the glucagonoma syndrome - cumulative experience with an elusive endocrine tumour

OBJECTIVE

Glucagonoma is a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour that arises from alpha cells in the pancreas and is often accompanied by a characteristic clinical syndrome.

DESIGN

In this report, we present the cumulative experience and clinical characteristics of six patients diagnosed with glucagonoma and the glucagonoma syndrome and treated at our centre during the past 25 years.

RESULTS

Although the course of the disease was variable, some features were similar. The median age at diagnosis was 53·5 years; the median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 39 months. Presenting symptoms were as follows: weight loss 5/6 (83%), necrotizing migratory erythema (NME) 5/6 (83%), diabetes mellitus 4/6 (66%) and diarrhoea, weakness and thrombosis 2/6 (33%). Plasma glucagon was elevated in all patients upon diagnosis (range 200-10,000 pm; N < 50). Skin biopsy was diagnostic only in 1/6 specimens obtained, even after revision. Metastatic disease developed in all patients; 4/6 initially presented with hepatic metastasis. All patient symptoms responded to somatostatin analogue therapy. In 4/6, the NME responded to amino acid solutions. Other modes of therapy were as follows: surgery in 3/6 patients, peptide receptor radioligand therapy with (90) Y-DOTATOC (PRRT) in 3/6 patients (two responses) and chemotherapy in three patients (two responded). Four out of six patients died of the disease, and median survival time was 6·25 years (range 2-11) from diagnosis and 8 years (range 8-16) from initial symptoms. Five-year survival was 66%.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that somatostatin analogues and an aggressive surgical approach offer symptom relief and tumour control. Among other available treatment modalities, PRRT seems to hold the most promise.

A case of a giant glucagonoma with parathyroid hormone-related peptide secretion showing an inconsistent postsurgical endocrine status

A 53-year-old woman was admitted because of a giant pancreatic tumor. Hypercalcemia and a high serum parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) level were observed. A hypoglycemic attack occurred during pancreatectomy, and the surgical specimen revealed a PTHrP-secreting glucagonoma. Liver metastases developed 1 and 5.5 years later, and bone metastases appeared 6 years after surgery. Her serum PTHrP concentrations remained normal after surgery, despite re-elevation of the serum glucagon concentration after recurrence. The clinical course of this case illustrates the process of development of neuroendocrine tumors secreting two or more hormones.

[Glucagonoma syndrome without diabetes mellitus]

A patient developed depression, weight loss, ulcers and a migrating, denuded erythematous skin area. Punch biopsy revealed necrolytic migrating erythema. Computerised tomography and endoscopic ultrasound showed a solid tumour of the pancreas. A blood sample showed an increased level of glucagon without diabetes. Glucagonoma syndrome is characterized by glucagon overproduction, diabetes, depression, deep venous thrombosis and necrolytic migrating erythema. Glucagonoma is frequently diagnosed late which increases the risk of metastases. It is important not to rule out glucagonoma in patients with a relevant clinical picture but without diabetes.

Surgery on neuroendocrine tumours

Neuroendocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas present a major challenge to physicians in their recognition and treatment requirements, and surgical treatment of these tumours has become increasingly important for symptom palliation and survival. For some carcinoid tumours the extent of surgery may depend on tumour size. Midgut carcinoid is the most common cause of the carcinoid syndrome, requiring surgery for primary and mesenteric tumours to minimize the risk for abdominal complications but also for removal of liver metastases to palliate hormonal symptoms. Among endocrine pancreatic tumours, insulinoma and gastrinoma often cause severe symptoms of hormone excess despite their inconspicuous size, but they can be successfully removed with improved pre- and intraoperative localization. Other tumours--glucagonoma, VIPoma, and non-functioning endocrine pancreatic tumours--are often large or metastasizing, but generally require surgical debulking to alleviate hormonal symptoms and have favourable survival.

A rare cystic non-functioning neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor with an unusual presentation

This report describes a patient with a cystic non-functioning neuroendocrine glucagon cell pancreatic tumor presenting with demyelination of the optical nerve that had initially provoked marked monolateral reduced vision and had led to a suspected diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Cystic degeneration is uncommon in endocrine pancreatic tumors due to their abundant vascular supply. Very few cases of cystic neuroendocrine non-functioning pancreatic tumors have been reported in the international literature. The presence of atypical neurological symptoms, such as sudden visual impairment, should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis for such tumors. The prognosis is poor, because most of these tumors are malignant and diagnosed at an advanced stage. The three-year disease-free survival of our patient, however, encourages the use of aggressive surgical treatment.

Necrolytic migratory erythema

BACKGROUND

Necrolytic migratory erythema is considered to be a paraneoplastic dermatosis. The classical symptoms are associated with alpha-cell pancreatic islet cell tumor or 'glucagonoma'. Generally, extracutaneous hallmarks of this disease include weight loss, diabetes, anaemia and diarrhoea.

OBSERVATION

We report a case of a 39-year-old woman with a 3-year history of recalcitrant psoriasiform eruption, who had no other associated symptoms on routine examination. Histologic examinations suggested necrolytic migratory erythema. Abdominal computer tomography was performed, which revealed a tumor in the tail of the pancreas. After distal resection of the pancreas her skin symptoms resolved in a few days time. Histology was consistent with glucagonoma. She is clinically well and symptomless and no signs of metastasis after 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

It is infrequent to have only necrolytic migratory erythema, hyperglucagonaemia and islet-cell tumor but no other extracutaneous symptoms in glucagonoma syndrome. To our knowledge, ours is the second such case reported in the literature. Skin symptoms are important, often they are the clue to the diagnosis of glucagonoma syndrome.

Metastatic glucagonoma: Treatment with liver transplantation

Glucagonoma is a rare pancreatic endocrine tumor that is often both well developed and malignant at detection. In the case of metastatic spread the patient has a poor long-term prognosis. We hope to familiarize dermatologists and other specialists with this rare and potentially fatal disorder because early recognition of necrolytic migratory erythema, a clinical feature that may appear in patients with glucagonoma, can lead to possible cure, whereas delayed identification of the disease is associated with metastatic disease and a poor prognosis. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient with a metastatic glucagon-producing tumor; necrolytic migratory erythema was diagnosed and was successfully treated by a multimodal intervention including liver transplantation. Currently, 72 months after transplantation, our patient is in complete remission, which has been verified by somatostatin receptor scintigraphy monitoring, computed tomographic scanning and glucagon serum control. Increased awareness of the clinical symptoms and visible polymorphic mucocutaneous and nonspecific histopathologic features of glucagonoma syndrome is needed to avoid unnecessary delay in the diagnosis of this syndrome.

[The question of surgical therapy for necrolytic migratory erythema, a cutaneous disease]

Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) is a rare paraneoplastic dermatologic condition. Its underlying cause is usually a pancreatic islet cell tumour with marked glucagon secretion. The glucagonoma syndrome is characterised by pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm, NME, and diabetes mellitus. We present a case of glucagonoma syndrome in a 58-year-old woman with a history of recurrent cutaneous manifestations who was referred for surgical resection of a pancreatic neoplasm after the NME was finally diagnosed. We discuss diagnostic methods, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic management of this disease.

[Surgical treatment of gastric, enteric, and pancreatic endocrine tumors Part 1. Treatment of primary endocrine tumors]

Endocrine tumors (ET) of the digestive tract (formerly called neuroendocrine tumors) are rare. They are classified into two principal types: gastrointestinal ET's (formerly called carcinoid tumors) which are the most common, and pancreaticoduodenal ET's. Functioning ET's secrete polypeptide hormones which cause characteristic hormonal syndromes. The management of ET is multidisciplinary. Poorly-differentiated ET's have a poor prognosis and are treated by chemotherapy. Surgical excision is the only curative treatment of well-differentiated ET's. The surgical goals are to: 1. prolong survival by resecting the primary tumor and any nodal or hepatic metastases, 2. control the symptoms related to hormonal secretion, 3. prevent or treat local complications. The most common sites of gastrointestinal ET's ( carcinoids) are the appendix and the rectum; these are often small (<1 cm), benign, and discovered fortuitously at the time of appendectomy or colonoscopic removal. Ileal ET's, even if small, are malignant, frequently multiple, and complicated in 30-50% of cases by bowel obstruction, mesenteric invasion, or bleeding. The carcinoid syndrome (consisting of abdominal pain, flushing, diarrhea, hypertension, bronchospasm, and right sided cardiac vegetations) is caused by the hypersecretion of serotonin into the systemic circulation; it occurs in 10% of cases and is usually associated with hepatic metastases. More than half of the cases of pancreatic ET are non-functional. They are usually malignant and of advanced stage at diagnosis presenting as a palpable or obstructing mass or as liver metastases. Insulinoma and gastrinoma (cause of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) are the most common functional ET's. 80% are sporadic; in these cases, tumor size, location, and malignant potential determine the type of resection which may vary from a simple enucleation to a formal pancreatectomy. In 10-20% of cases, pancreaticoduodenal ET presents in the setting of multiple endocrine neoplasia (NEM type I), an autosomal-dominant genetic disease with multifocal endocrine involvement of the pituitary, parathyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands. For insulinoma with NEM-I, enucleation of lesions in the pancreatic head plus a caudal pancreatectomy is the most appropriate procedure. For gastrinoma with NEM-I, the benefit of surgical resection for tumors less than 2-3 cm in size is not clear. The lesions are frequently small, multiple, and widespread and recurrence is frequent after excision. The long-term prognosis is nevertheless fairly good. But the eventual development of liver metastases which are the most common cause of mortality still argues for an aggressive surgical approach in the early stages of the disease.

[Treatment for pancreatic endocrine tumors with or without multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1]

Recent strategies for the treatment of pancreatic endocrine tumors are described. Most cases are metastatic, and liver metastasis is the most significant prognostic factor. Thus curative resection before liver metastasis develops based on the localization of the tumors with the SASI test is the standard strategy. Subtotal distal pancreatectomy or pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy is indicated for multiple pancreatic endocrine tumors and multiple duodenal gastrinomas, respectively, for patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Rare presentation of endocrine pancreatic tumor: a case of diffuse glucagonoma without metastasis and necrolytic migratory erythema

Glucagonoma is a very rare endocrine pancreatic tumor. At diagnosis, most glucagonomas are malignant and often metastatic. Suspicion of glucagonoma is based on characteristic presentations known as "glucagonoma syndrome". Glucagonoma is often found in the pancreatic body and/or tail and is usually large enough to be localized by computed tomography. We report a case of diffuse glucagonoma necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) in a 45-year-old man with mild diabetes mellitus, mild anemia, and weight loss over 1.5 years. Diffused enlarged pancreas was noted on abdominal ultrasonography incidentally during a routine health check-up. The levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 were within normal limits. No enlarged lymph node or extrapancreatic tumor mass was found by several imaging studies. Total pancreatectomy was performed, and the pathology revealed glucagon-producing islet cells and intrapancreatic vascular emboli of tumor cells. He died due to internal bleeding and sepsis after surgery. Presentation of diffuse malignant glucagonoma with tumor emboli but no metastasis or NME is unusual.

Necrolytic migratory erythema: a cutaneous clue to glucagonoma syndrome

Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) is a cutaneous manifestation of the glucagonoma syndrome. We present a case with a pancreatic glucagon-secreting tumour, skin eruption and a good response to treatment.

Clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of glucagonoma syndrome

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic endocrine tumors are uncommon neoplasms and can lead to systemic disorder including glucagonoma syndrome, a very rare prototypical paraneoplastic phenomenon. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnosis and surgical strategy for the treatment of glucagonoma syndrome.

METHODS

The clinical data of a case of pancreatic head tumor with typical glucagonoma syndrome of necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), diabetes mellitus (DM), anemia, and glossitis were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Cutaneous eruption occurred mainly in the groin, extremities, thighs, buttocks, and perineum. A highly elevated level of serum glucagon was detected by radioimmunoassay. A tumor located in the head of the pancreas was well-defined by pre and intra-operative ultrasonography, contrast enhanced computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Tumor enucleation was performed, showing significantly improved symptoms. Near complete resolution of NME was shown one week after surgery. Surgical complications or recurrence was not found.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of glucagonoma syndrome is established by marked clinical features such as NME as the hallmark clinical finding, hyperglucagonemia, and radiographically demonstrated neuroendocrine tumor. The topographic diagnosis of glucagonoma can be achieved by combined imaging methods. Enucleation of tumor is a valuable treatment for solitary pancreatic tumor without peripancreatic invasion, liver metastasis, and pancreatic duct compression.

Reversible dilated cardiomyopathy associated with glucagonoma

An association between dilated cardiomyopathy and glucagonoma has not previously been described. A case of a 54 year old woman with tachycardia and congestive heart failure is described. Initial evaluation included an echocardiogram, which showed dilated cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of 15%. Coronary angiography and endomyocardial biopsy did not identify a secondary cause of her cardiomyopathy. She subsequently developed necrolytic migratory erythema, and imaging of her pancreas identified a pancreatic mass with a major increase of her serum glucagon concentration. Tachycardia persisted despite treatment with beta blockers. After resection of her tumour, her heart rate normalised and subsequently her heart returned to normal size and function. Glucagon is used to treat overdoses of beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, increasing heart rate by increasing myocardial cyclic AMP concentrations. Although rare, in the appropriate clinical setting, glucagonoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for tachycardia and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Migratory necrolytic dermatitis presenting after cephalosporin administration in a patient with a pancreatic head mass

Migratory necrotizing dermatitis is one of the most distressing presenting symptoms of glucagonomas. This rare functioning pancreatic endocrine tumor is third in incidence after insulinomas and gastrinomas and is often malignant at the time of diagnosis. Elevated serum glucagon levels cause decreased amino acid levels which is believed to be the principal cause of the dermatitis. Other symptoms include anemia, visual scotomata and mild diabetes mellitus. Medical treatment alone including octreotide and amino acid supplementation has been reported to eliminate the dermatitis. Nonetheless, surgical resection or debulking remains the definitive treatment when possible. Because of its rarity, diagnosis may be delayed by years accounting for the high rate of metastasis at presentation. Reported here is the case of a 77-year-old man who presented with a migratory necrotizing dermatitis after antibiotic treatment and whose diagnosis of a glucagonoma was then delayed for over 1 year.

[Surgical management of pancreatic endocrine tumors in patients with MEN 1 syndrome. Considerations on one case observed]

INTRODUCTION

Particular problems in MEN 1 syndrome come from the morphological identification of pancreatic tumors because of their are often small [<1 cm] and multiple [89% of the cases]. However intraoperatively it could be difficult to identify with palpation the tumors described by preoperative investigations and to decide the most suitable surgical treatment. The authors describe one case recently observed to underline and update the correct management.

CASE REPORT

A 34 year old woman was admitted for the surgical treatment of an insulinoma. Polimenorrea, hypercalcemia and familiarity for MEN 1 syndrome were also present. A CT scan showed the tumors in the body and tail of the pancreas [diameter 0.5-1 cm]. MRI described only a small mass in pancreatic head. A calcium angiography was positive for insulin secretion after calcium infusion in hepatic and gastroduodenal artery, and for glucagon secretion after infusion in splenic artery. An intraoperative ultrasonography discovered three nodules that were enucleated. They were one insulinoma and two glucagonomas respectively. After enucleation glycemia became immediately normal.

CONCLUSION

To avoid wide surgical resections [es. left pancreatectomy] we suggest a conservative treatment [multiple enucletion with or without a pancreatic-jejunum side-to-side anastomosis] with a meticulous preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of all pancreatic nodules.

Laparoscopic resection for nonfunctioning small glucagon-producing tumor: report of a case and review of the literature

Glucagonoma is a relatively rare type of pancreatic endocrine tumor, and is often well-developed and malignant at detection. We report a case of nonfunctioning small glucagon-producing tumor that was successfully resected by laparoscopic surgery. A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for further examination of a pancreatic tumor that had been detected incidentally. Hematological data and hormone concentrations were within normal ranges. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a small mass in the body of the pancreas. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was done. Macroscopically, the resected tumor was a yellowish-white, solid mass measuring 8 x 8 x 7 mm. The tumor cells showed positive immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A and glucagon. The postoperative course was uneventful. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic surgery for a nonfunctioning small glucagon-producing tumor. Because of recent improvements in laparoscopic surgery technique, use of this approach for resection of pancreatic benign small endocrine tumors will likely increase in the future.

[Surgical treatment of neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas]

Gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) endocrine tumours can originate from various pancreatic islet cells, from endocrine cells of the gastric and duodenal mucosa, or from APUD cells of neuroectodermal origin in the gastrointestinal tract. They are benign when smaller than 2 cm, but larger tumours are generally malignant. Surgery is the only method for the curative treatment of GEP tumours. A diagnosed and localised tumour is an absolute indication for radical surgery. Conservative medical treatment may be indicated only in an inoperable condition, but in this case tumour reduction surgery is suggested. In the last 15 years 22 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours were treated without any mortality. Except for two of them, the surgical therapy was curative.

Surgical treatment of endocrine pancreatic tumours

Endocrine pancreatic tumours (EPTs) are uncommon, with a major challenge to alert physicians to their recognition and requirements of treatment. Functioning EPTs cause well-known clinical syndromes of hormone excess. Insulinomas, gastrinomas and glucagonomas are most common; vipomas and somatostatinomas are rare. EPTs also occur as non-functioning lesions without symptoms of hormone excess occasionally with ectopic hormone, such as ACTH and Cushing syndrome as a late complication. The majority of EPTs are sporadic, but they may also be part of a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome or rarely the von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. EPTs have been of great interest to endocrine surgeons and we have, during recent years, witnessed continuing advances in diagnosis, imaging and treatment of the different tumour entities. It has become obvious that surgical treatment of these tumours is of increased concern and can have a marked impact on symptoms and survival.

[Recurrent glucagonoma 20 years after surgical resection]

Glucagonoma is a rare islet alpha-cell pancreatic tumor. Patients usually present with necrolytic migratory erythema, diabetes mellitus, thromboembolism, and weight loss. Diagnosis is based on the presence of a pancreatic tumor in association with hyperglucagonemia. Tumor characterization is made by computed tomography and/or pancreatic endoscopic ultrasonic and indium-labeled octreo-scan. Surgery is the main component of the treatment, in some cases in association with chemotherapy. We report the case of a 72-year-old patient who developed a recurrent glucagonoma, 20 years after surgical resection.

[Necrolytic migratory erythema revealing glucagonoma without diabetes]

We report a case of glucagonoma syndrome, revealed by a necrolytic migratory erythema that had developed for four Years, associated with anorexia, severe weight loss, anemia, hypoprotidemia, and hypoaminoacidemia. The fasting blood glucose level tended paradoxically to be low (0.6 g/l). Elevated plasma glucagon levels confirmed our diagnosis. The absence of diabetes was explained by an independent insulin secretion derived from this composite pancreatic tumor, authenticated by the histological analysis and the proinsulin level. This level was similar to those typically observed in insulinomas. Six Months after a complete surgical exeresis, symptoms disappeared and biological results returned to normal values.

Malignant glucagonoma of the pancreas diagnoses through anemia and diabetes mellitus

Glucagonoma of the pancreas is a rare tumor with distinct clinical manifestations, such as necrolytic migratory erythema,weight loss, anemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypoamino-acidemia. We report the case of a 68-year-old Japanese man who underwent curative resection for malignant glucagonoma of the pancreas diagnosed through anemia and diabetes mellitus. The patient had had diabetes mellitus for 20 years. Anemia was diagnosed in 1998. On admission, the hemoglobin level was 8.3g/dl, but the levels of serum iron, vitamin B12, and erythropoietin and, the number of reticulocytes were within normal limits. The levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9, and DUPAN-2 were also within normal limits, and exocrine function of the pancreas (PFD, 75%) was normal. Ultrasonography (US) revealed a hypoechoic tumor in the distal pancreas. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a high-density area 4 cm in diameter with calcification. The serum glucagon level was very high (2360 pg/ml), but the levels of other hormones such as somatostatin or gastrin were within normal limits, while insulin was low. Glucagonoma of the pancreas was diagnosed, and distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed a malignant endocrine tumor,which was immunohistochemically positive for chromogranin A and glucagon. Two months after the operation, the serum glucagon level had decreased to within normal limits and the hemoglobin level had increased to 10.4 g/dl. The case of glucagonoma reported here was found through diagnostic examinations of anemia and treated by surgical resection, by which the patient's anemia was largely alleviated. Therefore, we recommend checking patients who have diabetes mellitus and anemia in order to diagnose and treat glucagonoma in its early stage.

[Non-functioning tumor of the islets of Langerhans]

About 15% of tumors of Langerhans, islets do not cause any hormone induced syndrome although they sintetise and secrete one or more regulatory peptides. These tumors are most frequently localised in the head and tail of the pancreas. They are usually greater then 5 cm. In diameter and present with pain, jaundice, palpable mass and malaise, rarely with variceal bleeding due to compression of the splenic vein. About 50% of the tumors present with symptoms caused by metastases. We present a 51 year old women in whom during the investigation for paraumbilical pain, predominantly on the left side a tumor of the tail of the pancreas was discovered and subsequently surgically removed. Standard histology showed a neuroendocrine tumor. Immunohistochemistry showed generalised immunoreactivity with antibodies against chromographin A, neuron specific enolasa and glucagon in more then 95% of cells. Somatostatatin was coexpressed in more then 5% of cells, PP in rare scattered cells. No reactivity was found for the other hormone markers. Ten years after surgery the patient has no signs of tumor recurrency.

An uncommon tumor in a renal graft recipient: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

The development of malignancies after solid organ transplantation represents an increasing clinical problem complicating the long-term follow-up of transplant recipients. In this case report the authors describe the rare triple combination of a simultaneous hepatocellular carcinoma with a glucagonoma and a splenic hamartoma in a renal allograft recipient. It is not only the first published report of a glucagonoma occurring after renal transplantation but serves also as an illustration of the therapeutic decision making in the setting of the immune-compromised host. This case report also illustrates the different imaging modalities that can be used for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors.

Concurrent resections of pancreatic islet cell cancers with synchronous hepatic metastases: outcomes of an aggressive approach

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic islet cell cancers are often characterized by the presence of endocrinopathies, an indolent clinical course, and a propensity for hepatic metastases. Hepatic metastases are associated with a negative impact on survival. The role of concurrent resections of pancreatic islet cell cancers and the hepatic metastases has not been defined.

METHODS

The records of all consecutive patients undergoing concurrent resections of pancreatic islet cell cancers and their hepatic metastases between 1980 and 1998 were reviewed. Outcomes regarding overall progression-free and symptom-free survival and perioperative morbidity and mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

All 23 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Six major (> or = 3 segments) and 17 minor (c3 segments) partial hepatectomies were performed. Complete gross resection of cancer (R0/R1) were performed in 9 patients and debulking resections (R2) (<10% residual tumor volume) in 14 patients. There were no perioperative deaths. Major complications occurred in 4 patients (18%). Overall, progression-free, and symptom-free survival was 71% (median: 76 months), 5% (median: 21 months), and 24% (median: 26 months), respectively, at 5 years. Conclusions. These data support aggressive concurrent resection of the pancreatic islet cell cancers and synchronic hepatic metastases when technically feasible. Because disease progression is frequent and the major cause of death, investigations of adjuvant and adjunctive therapies are warranted.

Surgical experience with functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Pancreatic islet-cell tumors (ICTs) are rare malignancies usually recognized by specific clinical endocrinopathies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our surgical experience with functioning pancreatic ICT in an academic referral center. Twenty patients (male:female 12:8) with a mean age of 53 years (range 26-82) underwent surgery for a functioning pancreatic ICT [gastrinoma (eight), multiple endocrine neoplasia (three), insulinoma (seven), glucagonoma (four), and VI-Poma (vasoactive intestinal peptide; one)] between June 1975 and March 2001. Signs and symptoms of hormonal excess were present in 95 per cent (19 of 20). One patient (glucagonoma) presented with obstructive jaundice and mild glucose intolerance. Elevated peptide levels were detected preoperatively in 65 per cent, including all patients with an insulinoma. Curative resections were attempted in 80 per cent including three procedures for insulinoma. Palliative procedures were performed in 20 per cent--all gastrinomas. One patient with an insulinoma had diffuse nesidioblastosis. Three patients (with gastrinoma, insulinoma, and glucagonoma) had lymph node-positive disease and three patients with gastrinoma had liver metastasis. The overall 30-day morbidity rate was 30 per cent and mortality rate 0 per cent. Symptomatic improvement was achieved in 90 per cent at a mean follow-up of 44 months. Two patients developed diabetes after a subtotal and a total pancreatectomy, respectively. Sixty-three per cent of patients who underwent an attempted curative resection are alive at a mean follow-up of 47 months (range 3-231) and all patients who underwent a palliative procedure are alive at a mean follow-up of 31 months (range 27-36). Functioning pancreatic ICTs are fascinating tumors that produce distinct clinical syndromes. Symptomatic improvement is accomplished in the majority of patients after surgery and short-term palliation is achieved in patients with nonresectable disease.

Brittle nails and dyspareunia as first clues to recurrences of malignant glucagonoma

Glucagonoma syndrome is a paraneoplastic syndrome in which the occurrence and resolution of the characteristic necrolytic migratory erythema lesions parallel the course of the underlying glucagonoma. Nail abnormalities and dyspareunia are rarely reported in this syndrome. We describe a case of glucagonoma syndrome in which recurrent brittle nails and dyspareunia gave the patient the first clues of the recurrence of glucagonoma. It is possible that the significance of onychoschizia and dyspareunia has been overlooked in glucagonoma syndrome because patients might not report these problems to their doctors. Our case illustrates the importance of examining the nail and genital mucosa in patients with glucagonoma syndrome and including this syndrome in the differential diagnosis of onychoschizia and dyspareunia.

Timing and extent of surgery in symptomatic and asymptomatic neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas in MEN 1

Pancreaticoduodenal tumors develop in a majority of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) and have a pronounced effect on life expectancy as the principal cause of disease related death. Previous discussion of therapy has focused mainly on syndromes of hormone excess and especially the management of MEN 1 associated Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES). The syndromes of hormone excess, however, may be late features of the endocrinopathy and, when developed, indicate presence of metastases in more than one-third of patients. Recent possibilities for genetic diagnosis have emphasized requirements of prophylactic operation for prevention of malignant development. We recommend screening with biochemical markers and endoscopic ultrasound for early detection, and strong efforts of operative tumor removal before metastases have occurred. Surgery is generally recommended in patients with or without hormonal syndromes in the absence of spread hepatic metastases. Operative procedures include enucleation of tumors in the head of the pancreas, excision of duodenal gastrinomas together with clearance of lymph gland metastases, and as prophylaxis against tumor recurrence combination with distal 80% subtotal pancreatic resection. More extensive surgical tumor reduction is believed to reduce the risks for malignant progression of the pancreaticoduodenal tumors, but this requires further evaluation in MEN 1.

Amino acid, glucose, and lipid kinetics after palliative resection in a patient with glucagonoma syndrome

Glucagon excess causes catabolic changes, including enhanced glucose production, lipolysis, and amino acid oxidation. In this study, we evaluate the metabolic effects of debulking surgery on a patient with glucagon-producing tumor. Stable isotope tracer methods were used to measure glucose, glycerol, and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (alpha KICA) rates of appearance (Ra) into plasma. Measurements were obtained 25 days after surgery in the basal state and during hormonal suppression of glucagon production by infusing somatostatin with insulin replacement. Basal plasma glucagon concentration (14,100 pg/mL) remained high after debulking surgery. Somatostatin infusion decreased plasma glucagon concentration to 6,735 pg/mL and basal substrate kinetics (alpha-KICA Ra from 1.97 to 1.48 micromol/kg/min; glucose Ra from 16.89 to 11.56 micromol/kg/min; and glycerol Ra from 3.33 to 2.74 micromol/kg/min). We conclude that debulking surgery fails to adequately suppress glucagon production and the alterations in substrate metabolism associated with excess glucagon. In these patients, somatostatin therapy can be an effective method to suppress secretion of glucagon and help attenuate its catabolic effects.

A case of glucagonoma with high uptake on F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography

Glucagonomas are relatively rare, and can be difficult to differentiate from other pancreatic tumors. A 62-year-old woman who had suffered from diabetes mellitus was hospitalized for further evaluation of a space-occupying lesion in the head of the pancreas and tumors in the liver. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed accumulation of isotope corresponding to a tumor of the pancreas with a standardized uptake value of 4.3, and tumors in the liver with standardized uptake values of 2.4 and 2.8. The serum glucagon level was high (1,170 pg/ml) and the secretin tolerance test was negative. She was diagnosed with glucagonoma with a high serum glucagon level and clinical findings. It is suggested that glucagonoma may be one of the tumors which show high uptake of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose.