Glucagon & Glucagonoma Syndrome

Review
In: Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
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Excerpt

The glucagonoma syndrome is caused by a glucagon-secreting pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (panNEN)(glucagonoma). The syndrome includes: necrolytic migratory erythema, painful glossitis, cheilitis & stomatitis, weight loss, anemia, new-onset or worsening diabetes mellitus, hypoaminoacidemia, low zinc levels, deep vein thrombosis and depression. At diagnosis, a glucagonoma is usually larger than 4-5 cm in diameter and locoregional lymph node and distant metastases, particularly to the liver or bones are present. The incidence of glucagonoma syndrome is 1-2% of all panNENs. Approximately 10% of glucagonomas are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Glucagonomas highly express somatostatin receptor subtypes and, therefore, somatostatin receptor positron emission tomography (PET) CT/MRI with 68Ga- labelled somatostatin analogs (DOTATATE, DOTANOC, and DOTATOC) can be used in the localization of glucagonomas. The somatostatin receptor subtypes can also be utilized for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs of metastatic glucagonomas. Other treatment options include supportive measures like amino acids, surgery, somatostatin analogs, sunitinib, everolimus, systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, and liver-directed therapies. Glucagon cell hyperplasia and neoplasia of the endocrine pancreas is an autosomal recessive syndrome associated with hyperglucagonemia and is a genetically determined receptor disease, affecting the glucagon receptor. Patients with this disorder can develop multiple glucagonomas. However, the clinical presentation is NOT with the glucagonoma syndrome. For complete coverage of all related areas of Endocrinology, please visit our on-line FREE web-text, WWW.ENDOTEXT.ORG.

Publication types

  • Review