2. INSULINOMA
Insulinomas are the most common tumors
arising from the pancreatic islets of
Langerhans
Although most insulinomas are in the
pancreas, distinguishing the location of the
tumors is difficult at diagnosis
The highest incidence is in people between 40
and 60 years of age, and women are affected
slightly more often than men.
3. SYMPTOMS
Anxiety
Weight Gain (patient can become
excessively obese)
Behavior Changes
Clouded Vision
Confusion
Convulsions
Dizziness
Headache
Hunger
Loss of Consciousness
Rapid Heart Rate
Sweating
Tremor
4. CAUSES
Insulinoma is a tumor found in the pancreas
that continues to produce insulin even when
your blood sugar drops too low
High blood insulin levels cause low blood
sugar levels called Hypoglycemia
Hypogycemia may be mild, leading to
symptoms such as anxiety and hunger or it
can be severe, leading to seizures, coma and
even death
5. THE PANCREAS
The pancreas is an organ in the
abdomen that makes several
enzymes and hormones,
including insulin.
Insulin reduces the level of
sugar(glucose) in the blood by
helping it move into cells
When your blood sugar level
drops too low, the pancreas
stops making insulin until your
blood sugar returns to normal
Insulinomas are rare and usually
occur in single, small tumors in
6. EXAMS AND TESTS
Fasting Test: every
fasting test is started in
the morning by means
of an oral
administration of 100 g
of glucose
Consists of an onset of
blood sampling as late
as after a 48h-fasting
period
http://www.insulinoma.net/english%20homepage/images/EHT_Con_Ins_
WZ.gif
7. EXAMS AND TESTS
After fasting, your blood may be tested for:
Blood C-peptide level
Blood glucose level
Blood insulin level
Drugs that cause the pancreas to release insulin
CT or MRI scan of the abdomen may be done to
look for a tumor in the pancreas. If the test is
negative, one of the following tests may be
performed:
Endoscopic ultrasound
Octreotide Scan
Pancreatic Arteriography
Pancreatic venous sampling for insulin
9. TREATMENTS
Surgery is the recommended treatment for
insulinoma. The tumor is first found by tests or
surgery.
If there is a single tumor it will be removed.
Ifthere are many tumors, part of the pancreas will
need to be removed (partial pancreatectomy).
At least 15% of the pancreas must be left to
produce its enzymes.
This may prevent the surgeon from removing the
whole insulinoma tumor.
10. TREATMENTS
If no tumor is found
during surgery, you
may get the drug
diazoxide to lower
insulin production and
avoid hypoglycemia.
A diuretic is given to
prevent the body from
retaining fluid.
Octreotide is used to http://www.unboundedmedicine.com/images/insulinoma7
%5B1%5D.jpg
reduce insulin release in
some patients
11. HISTORY
Historically, the three components of
insulinoma
1) symptoms of hypoglycemia
2) documented plasma glucose of less than 50
mg/dL at the time of hypoglycemic symptoms
3) relief of these symptoms with administration of
glucose has been referred to as Whipple's triad.
12. WORKS CITED
The New York Times. (2010). Insulinoma. Retrieved February 21, 2012, from
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/insulinoma/overview.html
Medline Plus. (2012). Insulinoma. Retrieved February 21, 2012, from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000387.htm
Center for Pancreatic and Bilary Disorders. (2002). Insulinoma. Retrieved February
21, 2012, from
http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions/tumor/pancreasdiseases/web%20pages/Endocr
ine%20tumors/pancreatic%20tumors/insulinoma.html
UpToDate. (2012). Insulinoma. Retrieved February 21, 2012, from
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/insulinoma
Insulinoma UK. (2011). What is an insulinoma?. Retrieved February 21, 2012, from
http://www.insulinoma.co.uk/page_1218566549343.html
eHow. (2011). How to Diagnose Insulinoma. Retrieved February 22, 2012, from
http://www.ehow.com/how_2086786_diagnose-insulinoma.html
Medscape Reference. (2012). Insulinoma Treatment & Management. Retrieved
February 22, 2012, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/283039-overview
University of Maryland Medical Center. (2010). Insulinoma – Treatment. Retrieved
February 22, 2012, from http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000387trt.htm