Hypoglycemia associated with the production of insulin-like growth factor II in a pancreatic islet cell tumor: a case report

Endocr J. 2008 Jul;55(3):607-12. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.k07e-153. Epub 2008 May 20.

Abstract

An insulinoma is characterized by endogenous hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia. However, it has been reported that insulinomas with normal levels of plasma insulin and a normal insulin to glucose ratio occur in patients with hypoglycemia. Although overproduction of Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) by non-islet cell tumors such as large mesenchymal tumors, can cause hypoglycemia, no cases of circulating plasma IGF-II from an islet cell tumor contributing to hypoglycemia have been reported. We report here a rare case of a pancreatic islet tumor in a patient with hypoglycemia that was associated with increased plasma IGF-II, which returned to normal after tumor resection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Islet Cell / blood
  • Carcinoma, Islet Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Islet Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Islet Cell / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Hypoglycemia / metabolism
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / metabolism*
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism*
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • IGF2 protein, human
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II