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Insulinoma

Robert Baldor, md Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A neoplastic process involving the pancreatic β cells of the islets of Langerhans leading to hyperinsulinemia, with symptoms due to hypoglycemia and concomitant cerebral glucose depr...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Symptoms are typically vague and periodic which can result in a delay in diagnosis of, on average, 18 months (5,6).

  • Symptoms are often worsened with fasting or exercise but can occur ...

TREATMENT

  • Definitive treatment is surgical removal, usually by enucleation (9).

  • Medications can be used to help stabilize blood sugars in patients awaiting surgery, those with metastatic disease, or i...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Watch for recurrence of hypoglycemic symptoms. 

DIET

Frequent high-carbohydrate meals and snacks 

PATIENT EDUCATION

In patients for whom surgery is ...

REFERENCES

1
Heaphy  CM, de Wilde  RF, Jiao  Y, et al. Altered telomeres in tumors with ATRX and DAXX mutations. Science.  2011; 333(6041): 425.  [Vie...

SEE ALSO

  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Syndromes

  • Algorithm: Hypoglycemia

CODES

ICD10

  • D13.7 Benign neoplasm of endocrine pancreas

  • C25.4 Malignant neoplasm of endocrine pancreas

  • D37.8 Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of oth digestive organs

SNOMED

  • 302822000 Insulinoma (disorder)

  • 254...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Consider the diagnosis of insulinoma in patients with periodic symptoms of hypoglycemia (altered consciousness, psychiatric disturbances, falls, diaphoresis, hypersomnia, weakness, sei...

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