ENLmedical.com: Conditions And Concerns: Medical Encyclopedia: Islet of Langerhans' tumor

Islet of Langerhans' tumor

Causes and Risks:
Tumors of the islet cells of the pancreas can produce a variety of hormones. The tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous). The tumors may produce more than one hormone, but usually one hormone predominates so that specific symptoms result. Islet cell tumors include insulinomas, glucagonomas, gastrinomas ( Zollinger-Ellison 's syndrome) and other types of tumors. Risk factors are having a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, Type I ( MEN I ).

Prevention:
There is no known prevention for these tumors.

Symptoms:

sweating
tremor
rapid heart rate
anxiety
hunger
dizziness
headache
clouding of vision
confusion
behavioral changes
convulsions
loss of consciousness
skin rash that migrates on face, abdomen, perineum, buttocks, or lower extremities
- may be crusty, scaly, and have raised lesions filled with clear fluid or pus
inflamed mouth and tongue
weight loss
weight gain (unintentional)
peptic ulcer pain
vomiting blood
diarrhea
abdominal pain

Note: The symptoms depend upon the type of tumor and the hormone produced.

Signs and Tests:
The type of tests given may vary depending upon the symptoms associated with the condition. Some of the following may be indicated:

elevated serum glucagon level
abdominal CT scan to reveal pancreatic tumor
elevated fasting glucose level
abnormal glucose tolerance test
catheterization of the pancreas to show high hormone level in the veins
MRI of abdomen to show pancreatic tumor
elevated serum insulin level
elevated serum insulin C-peptide fasting
low fasting glucose level
increased gastrin level
positive secretin stimulation test for pancreas
positive calcium infusion test
abdominal CT scan to show duodenal mass (aggregation of cells) or pancreatic tumor

Treatment:
Treatment will depend upon the type of tumor discovered, and whether the tumor is benign or malignant (growing worse - resisting treatment). In general, tumors are removed. If cancerous cells spread ( metastasis ) to the liver, sometimes a portion of the liver will be removed as well. Some antisecretory drugs may be of benefit to reduce the production of certain hormones. H-2 blockers such as cimetidine may reduce the production of gastrin in the case of gastrinomas.

Prognosis:
Usually tumors metastasize to the liver or other organs. Death may result from hypoglycemic reactions or widespread metastasis .

Complications:
Metastasis (spread) of the tumor to the liver can occur.

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of this tumor develop.

The endocrine system is the chemical control center of the body. The pituitary gland is often considered the master control; sending out hormones that regulate the function of the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testis. Over- or under-production of hormones from any of these glands is associated with many different types of disease.