digestive disorders
Glucagonoma
Introduction
A glucagonoma is a tumor of the Pancreas that produces the hormone These tumors arise from cells in the pancreas that produceglucagon. Symptoms are similar to those caused by diabetes, including weight loss and excessive urination. Diagnosis includes blood and imaging tests. Treatment is surgery and sometimes chemotherapy. Glucagonis a hormone normally secreted by the pancreas when bloodglucoselevels fall.Glucagonsimulates the liver to break down stored carbohydrates to increase blood glucose. Glucagonomas are a type of Overview of Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors . Most glucagonomas are cancerous (malignant). However, they grow slowly, and many people survive for 15 years or more after the diagnosis. The average age at which symptoms begin is 50. About 80% of people with glucagonomas are women. A few people have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes (MEN) . 