Response of glucagonomas to surgical excision and chemotherapy. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

The glucagon-producing pancreatic tumors or glucagonomas are among the rarest forms of islet cell tumors; most are malignant and usually produce a definite clinical syndrome. Mild diabetes mellitus, weight loss, and anemia usually accompany the syndrome. However, only the presence of a peculiar cutaneous rash (necrolytic migratory erythema) and the finding of hyperglucagonemia on assay are reliable diagnostic features of the syndrome. Selective, celiac axis arteriography is the most valuable preoperative technique for localizing these neoplasms and their common liver metastases. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examinations are particularly helpful in defining the tumor cell nature (alpha-2 islet cell) and the peptide content (glucagon). When the tumor is benign (less than 30%), complete operative removal results in lasting cure; for malignant forms, surgical therapy is mainly palliative, and adjunctive chemotherapy should be administered. In this report, the importance of clinical recognition and operative and chemotherapeutic responses is illustrated in two patients. In each case, the characteristic dermatitis, diabetes mellitus, weight loss, anemia, and elevated plasmatic glucagon were present. Both patients had their tumors localized by selective angiography and underwent operative removal of the primary pancreatic lesion. In the case of benign glucagonoma, surgical excision was curative. In the malignant one, cytoreductive surgery plus adjunctive chemotherapy (dimethyltriazenomidazole-carboxamide resulted in prolonged survival and significant clinical improvement. Follow-up with serum glucagon assay has been useful in monitoring recurrence.

• Authors: J Reyes-Govea, A Holm, J S Aldrete
• Journal: The American surgeon (Am Surg) Vol. 55 Issue 8 Pg. 523-7 (Aug 1989) ISSN: 0003-1348 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2548427 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adenoma, Islet Cell (surgery)
• Female
• Glucagonoma (drug therapy, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (drug therapy, surgery)