gastrointestinal disorders
Vipoma
Key Points
More than half of vipomas are malignant. Copious watery diarrhea (often 1 to 3 L/day) is common, often resulting in electrolyte abnormalities and/or dehydration. Patients with confirmed watery diarrhea should have their serum vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels measured (ideally during a bout of diarrhea). Localize tumors with endoscopic ultrasonography, positron emission tomography (PET), oroctreotidescintigraphy or arteriography. Remove tumors surgically when possible and suppress diarrhea withoctreotide. 