Asymptomatic calcitonin-secreting tumor of the pancreas. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic endocrine tumors are unusual tumors arising from cells belonging generically to the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation system.


METHODS
We present a case of a calcitonin-secreting pancreatic endocrine tumor in a 59-year-old male who presented at our Center with elevated calcitonin values. The patient was asymptomatic. Further investigation revealed a tumor, 80 mm in diameter, in the pancreatic body and tail along with three metastatic lesions in segments III, V, and VIII of the liver. Following a distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy and wedge resection of segments III and V along with radiofrequency ablation of the segment VIII lesion, his serum calcitonin reached normal values.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcitonin-secreting pancreatic endocrine tumors are often malignant and have a poor prognosis. We believe that an aggressive surgical approach may improve survival.
Delis
Spiros
S
First Surgical Department, Hepato-Pancreatic Unit, Agia Olga Hospital, Athens, Greece. sdelis55@hotmail.com
Bakoyiannis
Andreas
A
Giannakou
Niki
N
Tsigka
Alexia
A
Avgerinos
Costas
C
Dervenis
Christos
C
D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004701:Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D002116:Calcitonin