 |
|
|
|
Islet Cell Tumor |
Back to Library |
Most of the endocrine tissue in the pancreas
is located in discrete islands.
Islands of endocrine cells, the islets of Langerhans, are scattered throughout
the pancreas.
The endocrine cells secrete:
• Insulin.}
• Glucagon.}
• Somatostatin.}
• Pancreatic polypeptide.
• Amylin (IAPP).
The only other important condition after diabetus resulting from abnormality in
the endocrine component of
the pancreas is islet-cell tumour.
Tumours of the islet cells of the pancreas are examples of neuroendocrine
tumours (apudomas).
Most are benign, producing their symptoms through excess secretion of a specific
hormone,
usually insulin. The tumours are usually solitary, but in the MEN syndromes most
are multiple.
Insulinoma produces hypersecretion of insulin, leading to hypoglycaemic attacks
that are often
severe enough to produce coma; pre-coma symptoms include confusion and
behavioural disturbance
(sometimes aggressiveness).
Glucagonoma is very rare. The excess secretion of glucagon is often
asymptomatic, although
patients may be anaemic and develop an unexplained secondary diabetes. A bizarre
charac-teristic
skin rash called necrolytic migratory erythema sometimes occurs.
Very rarely, islet-cell tumours may secrete unusual hormones such as vasoactive
intestinal
peptide (VIP) and gastrin (producing the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome of recurrent
and
multiple peptic ulcers in stomach and proximal small intestine), or may even
produce ACTH. |
|
|
Interested in translating health topics to somali language! |
|
|
|
|
We give here simplified and accurate information about the disease
Info@somalidoc.com |
DISCLAIMER: This website is provided for
general information and it's run by medical students for medical students only
and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. We are not responsible
or liable for any diagnosis or action made by a user based on the content of
this website. We are not liable for the contents of any external websites
listed, nor do we endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised
on any of the sites. Always consult your own doctor if you are in any way
concerned about your health |
