Severe paraneoplastic hypoglycemia due to a non-islet cell tumor in a patient with an advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Abstract

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly localized in the stomach. Most GIST derive from mutations in tyrosine kinase receptors (KIT) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRA). GISTs are rarely associated with paraneoplastic hypoglycemia caused by non-β-cells tumor. This syndrome, defined non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH), arises from excess tumor production of insulin-like growth factor. We describe a 67-year-old female with severe NICTH secondary to an advanced and metastatic GIST.

Keywords

• Paraneoplastic hypoglycemia
• gastrointestinal stromal tumour
• non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia
• insulin-like growth factor.