Paraneoplastic hyperinsulinism and secondary hypoglycaemia in a patient with advanced colon cancer: a rare association.
We review the case of a 74-year-old patient with advanced colon cancer who suffered recurrent bouts of hypoglycemia. A state of inappropriate, non-suppressed hyperinsulinism in the presence of severe hypoglycemia was diagnosed. We finally discuss the known mechanisms behind fasting hypoglycemia in patients with advanced cancer, the diagnosis, and possible treatments of this rare paraneoplastic endocrine complication.
Díaz
Roberto
R
Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Campanar 19-21, Valencia 46009, Spain. rdiazbev@hotmail.com
Aparicio
Jorge
J
Mendizábal
Andrea
A
Faus
Marisa
M
Fleitas
Tania
T
Aparisi
Francisco
F
Martín
Maria
M
D000368:Aged; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male