Glucagonoma

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Endocrine glands

Glucagonoma is a tumor of the islet cells of the pancreas, which secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Glucagonoma is usually malignant (cancerous). The cancer tends to spread and get worse. The cancer affects the islet cells of the pancreas. As a result, they produce too much of a hormone called glucagon.

The excess glucagon causes symptoms such as glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar). Spreading of the cancer (metastasis) to the liver may occur. Glucagonoma also cause a distinctive skin lesion called necrolytic migratory erythema.

The cause is unknown, but genetic factors play a role in some cases. Risk factors include a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I).

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.