Hypercalcitoninemia in a Sporadic Asymptomatic Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Pancreatic Tail

Publisher: Karger

E-ISSN: 1421-9883|17|5|522-524

ISSN: 0253-4886

Source: Digestive Surgery, Vol.17, Iss.5, 2000-12, pp. : 522-524

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Abstract

Background/Aim: Asymptomatic neuroendocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic tract represent a significant challenge in terms of postoperative monitoring. Methods: A case report of a calcitonin-secreting asymptomatic neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreatic tail is presented. Results: Hypercalcitoninemia was noted in the 76-year-old Caucasian man who had a recurrent neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreatic tail. Upon pentagastrin stimulation, basal calcitonin increased only moderately from 82.3 (<10) to 100.9 and 125 pg/ml after 2 and 5 min, respectively. Surgical removal of the neuroendocrine tumor resulted in postoperative normalization of both basal and stimulated serum calcitonin levels. On immunohistochemistry, the neuroendocrine tumor was positive for calcitonin. Conclusion: Routine measurements of serum calcitonin might be a highly sensitive adjunct capable of identifying a subset of neuroendocrine tumors in which calcitonin monitoring may aid in the early detection of postoperative recurrence.

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