A combined glucagonoma and VIPoma syndrome. First pathologic and clinical report.
We report a case of pancreatic tumour metastatic to the liver in a patient with insulin-treated diabetes, anaemia, cheilitis, necrolytic migratory erythema, hypokalemia and chronic watery diarrhea, a picture suggesting combined glucagonoma and VIPoma syndromes. Immunocytochemistry of a biopsied hepatic metastatic nodule revealed both glucagon and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) positive cells. Increased plasma glucagon and VIP levels were detected (values of 900 pmol/l and 277 pmol/l respectively). This is the first reported case showing not only immunocytochemical, but also clinical evidence of the combined secretion of these hormones.
Cavallo-Perin
P
P
Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Italy.
De Paoli
M
M
Guiso
G
G
Sapino
A
A
Papotti
M
M
Coda
R
R
Pagano
G
G
D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D005935:Glucagonoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003969:Vipoma / Q000378:metabolism*