A case of a large non-functional islet cell tumor complicated by a loss of consiousness episode

Abstract

A 57-year-old man was found to have a lateral abdominal mass which was suspected of being a malignant pancreatic tumor. Abdominal CT scan showed a 15-cm-diameter cystic tumor with a partly thickened wall originating from the pancreatic body. FDG-PET accumulation in the tumor and ascites were observed indicating peritoneal dissemination. On aspiration biopsy results, an islet cell tumor was diagnosed. Given a diagnosis of islet cell tumor with peritoneal dissemination, which was thought to have induced an episode of unconsciousness and progressive anemia, a surgical resection was done. On pathology, a well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed. Peritoneal dissemination and liver metastasis were noted three and five months, respectively, after the operation. Chemotherapy was not effective, and the patient died 13 months after surgery.