Insulinoma: A rare cause of hypoglycemia in a young female

Abstract

Insulinoma is an exceedingly uncommon pancreatic islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. The estimated incidence is approximately four cases per million individuals per year and accounts for 60% of islets cell tumors. It causes glycopenic symptoms which includes headache, feeling irritable, confused, seizure or coma and leads to catecholamine excess which includes rapid heartbeat, sweating, palpitations and feelings of hunger. Early detection of the tumor prevents recurrent episodes of lethal hypoglycemia.

Keywords

• insulinoma
• lethal hypoglycemia
• Pancreas tumor
• neuroendocrine tumor
• islet cell tumor