A case of pancreatic glucagonoma]

Neuroendocrine tumor consisting of pancreatic alpha-cells -- glucagonoma -- is a very rare finding (one case per two million people a year). This functionally active, usually malignant tumor has typical clinical manifestations. Glucagonoma syndrome is a disease that has an original clinical picture that includes necrolytic migrating erythema with secondary bullous dermatitis, glucose tolerance disorder or diabetes mellitus, weight loss, anemia, hypoaminoacidemia, venous thrombosis, and alimentary and mental disturbances. By the time diagnosis is made, 60 to 70% of glucagonomas already give metastases, and even small glucagonomas should be considered tumors with unknown malignant potential or malignant tumors. Glucagonomas grow slowly, and patients live long (the survival median is approximately 15 years). The authors describe their own observation.