title: Asymptomatic calcitonin-secreting tumor of the pancreas. A case report.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: First Surgical Department, Hepato-Pancreatic Unit, Agia Olga Hospital, Athens, Greece. sdelis55@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delis
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakoyiannis
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giannakou
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsigka
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Avgerinos
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dervenis
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002116:Calcitonin