Definition of Glucagonoma
Glucagonoma is a very rare of the islet cells of the pancreas, which release the hormones insulin and glucagon.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Glucagonoma is usually cancerous (malignant). The cancer tends to spread and get worse.
Signs and tests
Signs include:
Treatment
Surgery to remove the tumor is the preferred treatment. The tumor does not respond to .
Expectations (prognosis)
Approximately 60% of these tumors are cancerous. Spread to the liver is common.
Review
Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 9/4/2008
