gastrointestinal disorders
Glucagonoma
Introduction
A glucagonoma is a pancreatic alpha-cell tumor that secretesglucagon, causing hyperglycemia and a characteristic rash. Diagnosis is by elevatedglucagonlevels and imaging studies. Tumor is localized with CT and endoscopic ultrasonography. Treatment is surgical resection. (See also Overview of Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors .) Glucagonis a hormone normally secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose levels fall. It stimulates glycogenolysis in the liver and thus increases blood glucose. Glucagonomas are a type of pancreatic endocrine tumor that arises from the alpha cells of the pancreas. They are very rare but similar to other islet cell tumors in that the primary and metastatic lesions are slow-growing: 15-year survival is common. Most glucagonomas are malignant. The average age at symptom onset is 50 years; 80% of patients are women. A few patients have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type 1 (MEN 1) type 1. 