Insulinoma Treatment & Symptom

Insulinoma is a tumor in the pancreas that produces too much insulin. Insulinomas are more common in women. The tumors are usually small (less than 2cm) and more than 90% of all insulinomas are benign (non-cancerous). Insulinomas produce excessive amounts of insulin and this causes low blood sugar. The typical symptoms that patients complain about are related to the development of low bloods sugar and include tiredness, weakness, tremulous and hunger. Many patients have to eat frequently to prevent symptoms from the low blood sugar. Some patients may develop psychiatric symptoms because of the low blood sugar. An insulinoma is a rare benign tumour of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Such a tumour can produce abnormally high quantities of insulin so that the amount of glucose in the blood (which is reduced by insulin) can fall to dangerously low levels. This is called hypoglycaemia and, unless sugar is given immediately, the patient can potentially go into a coma and die.

A tumor of the beta cells in areas of the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans . Although not usually cancerous, such tumors may cause the body to make extra insulin and may lead to hypoglycemia , a blood glucose (sugar) level that is too low. Insulinomas usually occur in middle-aged to older dogs, usually eight to twelve years of age. They are very rare in cats and there is no apparent gender predilection. Insulinomas can occur in any breed of dog with mixed breed dogs most commonly affected. Among purebred dogs, Irish setters, German shepherds, boxers, golden retrievers, poodles, and Labrador retrievers have a higher incidence. Medium to large-sized breeds of dogs are most commonly affected.

Causes of Insulinoma

Common Causes of Insulinoma :

• The gene of MEN, an autosomal dominant disease, is called MEN1 and maps to band 11q13. MEN1 is thought to function as a tumor suppressor gene.
• Researchers were able to detect loss of heterozygosity in band 11q13 in DNA samples from resected insulinoma tissue by using fluorescent microsatellite analysis.

Symptoms of Insulinoma

Some common Symptoms of Insulinoma :

• Headache.
• Behavioral changes.
• hunger,
• Confusion.
• Rapid heart rate .
• Sweating and weakness.
• Convulsions.
• Anxiety.
• Tachycardia .
• Nausea.

Treatment of Insulinoma

• Medical therapy .
• Surgery to remove the tumor .
• Diazoxide, which is a drug that inhibits release of insulin from the insulinoma.
• Emergency treatment with intravenous glucose to increase the patient's blood glucose concentration .
• Cortisone-like drugs like prednisone .