[Intrathoracic giant tumor accompanied by hypoglycemia]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Non-islet cell tumors can manifest with hypoglycemia.
• Intrathoracic tumors are rare causes of hypoglycemia.

Observation:

• A 53-year-old woman presented with hypoglycemia and a giant intrathoracic tumor.
• Imaging revealed a well-defined tumor in the left hemithorax.
• The tumor was surgically excised, leading to post-operative re-expansion pulmonary edema.

Findings:

• Histopathology suggested thymoma or localized mesothelioma, but definitive identification was challenging.
• Low pre-operative immuno-reactive insulin levels were noted.
• The tumor is suspected to have produced insulin-like growth factor (IGF), causing hypoglycemia.

Implications:

• This case highlights a rare cause of hypoglycemia due to an intrathoracic tumor.
• It underscores the potential role of IGF production by such tumors.
• Further investigation into the tumor's specific etiology and IGF production is warranted.