Abstract
A case of glucagonoma is reported, with some discussion on the related literature. A 42-year-old woman was admitted with the chief complaints of anorexia and weight loss. No skin eruptions were observed. Laboratory studies revealed normal red-cell count and normal glucose tolerance. X-ray examination of the stomach showed extrinsic pressure on the posterior wall of the middle corpus. Ultrasonography and CT scan showed a solid mass about 5 cm in diameter in the tail of the pancreas. Angiography confirmed that this was a hypervascular tumor. The plasma glucagon level was markedly elevated, greater than 4000 pg/ml. Other gut or pancreatic hormone levels were within normal limits. The concentrations of 9 plasma amino acids were markedly lower than normal. With a diagnosis of glucagonoma in the tail of the pancreas, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. The tumor was located in the tail of the pancreas and no metastatic lesions were found. Immunohistological examinations revealed glucagonoma. After surgery, plasma glucagon level returned to normal and hypoamino-acidemia improved.
