ISLET-CELL TUMORS OF THE PANCREAS

Functioning islet cell tumors of the pancreas are uncommon lesions, each of which is associated with specific symptoms caused by the hormones produced. Whereas insulomas are overwhelmingly likely to be benign, gastrinomas, glucagonomas, VIPomas, and somatostatinomas have a high incidence of malignancy. Surgical resection is the only effective therapy for these tumors. It provides the only possibility of cure and it relieves or alleviates the hormonally induced manifestations.