title: Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide secreting islet cell tumors: a 15-year experience and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-secreting tumors of the pancreas represent a rare subtype of pancreatic islet cell tumors with an estimated incidence of 0.2 to 0.5 per million per year. We provide data on a relatively large series of patients with VIP-secreting tumors and review current literature regarding this specific entity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed of all patients with VIP-secreting tumors of the pancreas treated from 1977 to 1992 at our institution. Presenting signs, symptoms, mode of diagnosis, extent of disease, surgical resectability, tumor size, treatments, hormone levels, and survival were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen patients were identified, 9 male and 9 female. Ages ranged from 23 to 74 years (mean 51 years). Secretory diarrhea was the most common symptom, occurring in 16 of 18 patients (89%). The most common tumor location was the tail of the pancreas (9 patients). Fourteen patients (78%) had liver metastasis at diagnosis. Curative resections were attempted in only 5 patients (28%). The mean survival was 3.6 years with the longest disease-free survival being 15 years and longest overall survival 15 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VIP-secreting tumors are extremely rare entities and usually metastatic at the time of diagnosis. Despite advanced disease, these patients can have extended survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. 32224, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Branton
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Avino
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Klingler
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Heerden
mesh_terms: D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide