Rapidly progressing malignant insulinoma presented with multiple liver metastases: a case report.
BACKGROUND
A 51-year-old female was admitted to emergency unit with sudden loss of consciousness. Her blood glucose level from fingertip was 33 mg/dl, and insulin level was 55 (normal range, 4-17 IU). Abdominal ultrasonography revealed pancreatic mass with diffuse liver metastases. Biopsy of liver metastases showed differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma.


RESULTS
Diazoxide and chemotherapy stabilized her glucose level for more than 4 months. However, the disease showed progression, and death occurred 8 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, this case may suggest that biologic behavior may differ from histological behavior in insulinoma and platin-based systemic chemotherapy may provide some benefit in patients those who had diazoxide- and octreotide-resistant tumors.
Erdogan
Askin
A
Departments of Gastroenterology, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey.
Askin
Erdogan
E
Kose
Fatih
F
Fatih
Kose
K
Akkaya
Hampar
H
Hampar
Akkaya
A
Bascil Tutuncu
Neslihan
N
Tutuncu
Neslihan Bascil
NB
Ozyilkan
Ozgur
O
Ozgur
Ozyilkan
O
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003981:Diazoxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D003981:Diazoxide; D015282:Octreotide