Calcitonin-secreting tumor of the pancreas.

Abstract

Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) are unusual tumors arising from cells belonging generically to the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation systems. We present a case of a calcitonin-secreting PET in a 56-year-old female who presented with watery diarrhea, dehydration and hypokalemia. Investigation revealed hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypercalcitonemia and a well-defined mass in the head of the pancreas on CT scan. Following a pancreaticoduodenectomy her serum calcitonin levels returned to normal and diarrhea disappeared. The identification of this particularly rare presentation of a calcitonin-secreting PET provides the opportunity to examine this pathological entity within the context of the very few previously reported instances of this disease.

• Authors: Prashant M Mullerpatan, Shashank R Joshi, Rajiv C Shah, Chandralekha S Tampi, Vatsala M Doctor, Palepu Jagannath, Irvin Modlin
• Journal: Digestive surgery (Dig Surg) Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 321-4 ( 2004) ISSN: 0253-4886 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 15375334 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Calcitonin

Topics

• Calcitonin (metabolism)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Neuroendocrine Tumors (diagnostic imaging, metabolism, surgery)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, metabolism, surgery)
• Pancreaticoduodenectomy
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed