Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a rare group of neoplasms that arise from multipotent stem cells in the pancreatic ductal epithelium. Although they comprise only 1% to 2% of pancreatic neoplasms, their incidence is increasing. Most pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are nonfunctioning, but they can secrete various hormones resulting in unique clinical syndromes. Clinicians must be aware of the diverse manifestations of this disease, as the key step to management of these rare tumors is to first suspect the diagnosis.

Keywords: Gastrinoma; Glucagonoma; Insulinoma; Nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor; Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor; Somatostatinoma; VIPoma.