Insulinoma is the most common hormone-producing tumor of the pancreas. It often produces not only insulin, as its name suggests, but also other hormones. In 90% of the cases it is a benign tumor.
The most important symptom of insulinoma is the so-called hypoglycemia (“hypoglycemia”). These occur particularly after physical exertion or in the morning after getting up. Paleness, trembling, tachycardia and diarrhoea occur.
Confusion, epileptic seizures or even a coma can also be observed. Weight gain or loss as well as ravenous appetite can also be found. Insulinoma is diagnosed by detecting hypoglycaemia (“hypoglycemia“) and hyperinsulinemia (an excess of insulin produced).
This is done by means of the so-called fasting test, which lasts 1-2 days and under which such hypoglycaemia usually occurs with insulinoma. With imaging procedures such as sonography, computed tomography (CT), angiography and possibly endosonography, an attempt can be made to find the exact location of the tumor. If this is not successful, there is the possibility of finding the tumor by surgery.
Therapy
The aim of the therapy is the surgical removal of the tumor. However, there are also drugs that inhibit the release of insulin if surgery is not possible. Only in rare cases (e.g. if metastases have formed) is chemotherapy necessary.
