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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
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An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses
Published on: November 28, 2010
Ectopic insulin production by a primary ovarian carcinoid
S Morgello1, E Schwartz, M Horwith
1Department of Pathology, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY 10021.
Cancer
|February 15, 1988
Summary
This study reports the first case of an ovarian carcinoid tumor producing insulin, leading to hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. The findings suggest a potential variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Episodic hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia can stem from various causes, including rare neoplasms.
- Ovarian carcinoid tumors are uncommon and typically do not secrete insulin.
Observation:
- Autopsy revealed an insulin-producing ovarian carcinoid in a 63-year-old woman with a 12-year history of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.
- Histology showed insular and trabecular patterns with a mucinous cystadenoma focus. Electron microscopy confirmed beta secretory granules, and immunohistochemistry showed insulin in tumor cells.
- Additional findings included a parathyroid adenoma and pituitary hyperplasia.
Findings:
- This is the first documented instance of insulin production by a primary ovarian neoplasm.
- The tumor cells contained beta secretory granules and demonstrated insulin immunoreactivity.
- The patient's endocrine abnormalities may indicate a variant of type I multiple endocrine neoplasia.
Implications:
- This case expands the differential diagnosis for hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.
- It highlights the potential for ovarian neoplasms to produce hormones, mimicking pancreatic islet cell tumors.
- The findings suggest a possible link between ovarian tumors and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes.
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