Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide secreting pancreatic tumour with hepatic metastases: long term survival after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

VIPomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours, with metastases often confined to the liver. Orthotopic liver transplantation may be considered in patients with metastases confined to the liver, however the long term benefits have yet to be shown.

AIMS:

To discuss the role of orthotopic liver transplantation for neuroendocrine tumours including VIPomas.

METHODS:

We describe the case of a very rare pancreatic VIPoma, the therapeutic modalities employed, including orthotopic liver transplantation, and present the results of a relevant literature search.

RESULTS:

This case is the longest (25 years) reported in the literature for survival from a VIPoma after initial diagnosis and long term survival after liver transplantation (9 years).

CONCLUSION:

Liver transplantation for metastatic VIPomas confined to the liver may be justified in selected patients to provide symptomatic hormonal control and pain from tumour bulk, provided there is no extra hepatic disease and medical treatment has been exhausted.

• Authors: P C Johnston, J E Ardill, B T Johnston, D R Mc Cance
• Journal: Irish journal of medical science (Ir J Med Sci) Vol. 179 Issue 3 Pg. 439-41 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1863-4362 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 18825477 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Topics

• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (mortality, secondary, surgery)
• Liver Transplantation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pancreatectomy
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology, surgery)
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (metabolism)
• Vipoma (metabolism, mortality)