VIPoma

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pancreas

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

VIPoma

Definition:

VIPomas are exceedingly rare cancerous tumors that arise from a type of hormone-secreting cell in the pancreas. VIPomas cause diarrhea, hypokalemia (low blood potassium), and a decrease in the amount of acid in the stomach.

Alternative Names:

Vasoactive intestinal peptide-producing tumor; Pancreatic endocrine tumor

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

VIPomas affect cells in the pancreas that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The cancer causes symptoms by producing high levels of this hormone. The cause is not known.

VIPomas are usually diagnosed in adulthood, most commonly at age 50 or so. Women are more likely to be affected than men.

Review Date: 8/4/2004
Reviewed By: Stephen Grund, M.D. Ph.D., Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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