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Robotic Enucleation of an Intra-Pancreatic Insulinoma in the Pancreatic Head
Published on: January 3, 2020
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Giant malignant insulinoma
Dimitrios Karavias1, Ioannis Habeos2, Ioannis Maroulis1
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, Greece.
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research
|May 12, 2015
Summary
Malignant insulinomas, though rare, can be large and aggressive. This case highlights a 17-cm malignant insulinoma with extensive metastasis, emphasizing the need for thorough diagnostic evaluation and surgical management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Insulinomas, the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, are typically benign and small.
- Malignancy is rare and usually associated with larger tumor size.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old woman presented with an acute hypoglycemic episode.
- Diagnostic work-up revealed a large, 17-cm malignant insulinoma.
Findings:
- The malignant insulinoma demonstrated local invasion to the left kidney.
- Metastasis was observed in regional lymph nodes and the liver.
- The patient experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia relieved by glucose administration.
Implications:
- Large malignant insulinomas require comprehensive diagnostic and imaging evaluation.
- Surgical management of both primary and metastatic disease is crucial for patient outcomes.
- This case underscores the importance of considering malignancy in large insulinomas presenting with hypoglycemia.
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