Islet Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas

Abstract

ISLET cell tumors are not common, but they occur frequently enough to be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia and of tumors of the pancreas. Many of these tumors do not cause symptoms and are found only at necropsy. Lopez-Kruger and Dockerty¹reported 44 cases of islet cell tumor which were found in 10,314 consecutive necropsies performed in the routine manner. Eight of these tumors were functioning adenomas. In 500 consecutive examinations of necropsy specimens of the pancreas, Pease²found 8 small nonfunctioning adenomas. About 20 per cent of islet cell tumors are of the functioning type which produce the clinical picture of hyperinsulinism.³This group has received considerable attention since Wilder et al.⁴reported the first case in 1929. About 10 per cent metastasize to the liver, lymph nodes, or surrounding structures.⁵For those patients who have lesions which metastasize, the average period