case of gllucagonoma and a review the literature

ABSTRACT

Glucagonoma is a rare islet cell tumor [alpha cell tumor] of the pancreas, when active it produces a syndrome characterized by necrolytic migratory erythema, diabetes mellitus, weight loss, anemia, glossitis, thromboembolism, neuropsychatric disturbances and hyperglucagonaemia. We present a case of a large pancreatic head tumor with diabetes mellitus [DM], anemia, weight loss and muscle wasting. After complete resection of the pancreatic tumor, the hyperglycaemia subsided. Peviewing 120 cases of glucagonoma in the literature the average tumor diameter was 3.6 cm. Most of the tumors [90%] occurred in the body and the tail. Two thirds of the reported glucagonomas were malignant and 53.3% metastasizes to other organs. Necrolytic migratory erythema [NME] is not a prerequisite for the diagnosis of Glucagonoma syndrome, where anemia, hyperglycemia, muscle wasting and weight loss may be the presenting features