Insulinomasare rare tumors that form in the pancreas, an organ essential to enzyme and hormone production.
One of these primary hormones isinsulin, which helps metabolize food and regulates blood sugar.
Insulinomas cause an overproduction of insulin, which can result inhypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Most insulinomas are noncancerous, and full recovery is often achieved when the tumor is surgically removed.
This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of insulinomas.
When insulinoma tumors are not solitary, surgically removing them as a form of treatment will be more challenging.
Insulinoma Symptoms
Thetypical symptoms of insulinomaare usually due to hypoglycemia.
Other conditions can produce hypoglycemia or similar symptoms.
Causes
There isn’t a known cause and many insulinomas are considered “sporadic.”
There are, however, some risk factors that may contribute to the development of insulinoma.
However, if insulinoma is suspected, a physician will supervise a period of fasting for about 48 hours.
This is meant to bring on symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Treatment
Many insulinomas are treated successfully with surgery to remove the tumor.
For tumors that cannot be surgically removed, dietary changes and medications to manage symptoms are typically prescribed.
The same goes for cancerous insulinomas.
For those who have a cancerous insulinoma tumor, chemotherapy may also be used to shrink the tumor.
Prognosis
In most cases, surgical removal of a noncancerous insulinoma tumor will effectively cure the condition.
The long-term survival rate is much higher for those with noncancerous insulinoma than those with malignant insulinoma.
A Word From Verywell
Insulinomas are very rare, and most are treatable.
The symptoms associated with these tumors often mimic those of other conditions, so diagnosis can be challenging.
If you are experiencing symptoms of insulinoma, discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Fortunately, most insulinomas are benign, and surgical removal typically resolves any symptoms.
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