VIPomas

Pancreatic endocrine tumors associated with profound diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydira were first described by Verner and Morrison in 1958. This syndrome was subsequently found to be due to ectopic secretion of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) VIPomas most often present in the 5th decade of life and have a similar incidence in men and women. The diagnosis is generally based on the presence of elevated serum VIP levels, symptoms of diarrhea, and documentation of malignancy. Somatostatin analogs are highly effective in suppressing hormone secretion and in controlling the secretory diarrhea associated with the VIPoma syndrome. Surgical resection is generally undertaken with curative intent in patients with localized disease or for the purpose of cytoreduction in patients with metastases.

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