[EC-cell pancreatic endocrine carcinoma responsible for chronic diarrhea]

Abstract

Ec cell or carcinoid enterochromaffinomas are very rare among the endocrine tumors, and more specifically orthocrine tumors, of the pancreas. We report one case of primary malignant carcinoid tumor of the pancreas, with no apparent metastasis, discovered during exploration for chronic diarrhea associated with hypercalcemia, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism and a serotonin secretion. The treatment consisted in a left splenopancreatectomy associated with a left adrenectomy. The clinical and biological signs immediately disappeared and, after a time lapse of almost five years, the general condition of this patient is quite satisfactory.