Pancreatic Islet Cell TumorSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor
View Main Condition: Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare tumors of the pancreas that start from a type of cell called the islet cell.
Cancer - pancreas; Cancer - pancreatic; Pancreatic cancer; Islet cell tumors; Islet of Langerhans tumor; Neuroendocrine tumors; Peptic ulcer - islet cell tumor; Hypoglycemia - islet cell tumor; Zollinger-Ellison syndrome; Verner-Morrison syndrome; Gastrinoma; Insulinoma; VIPoma; Somatostatinoma; Glucagonoma; Pancreatic islet cell tumor
In the healthy pancreas, cells called islet cells produce hormones that regulate several bodily functions. These include blood sugar level (regulated by insulin) and the production of stomach acid (regulated by gastrin).
Tumors that arise from islet cells of the pancreas can also produce a variety of hormones, which can lead to specific symptoms.
Pancreatic NETs can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
NETs include:
- Gastrinoma (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
- Glucagonoma
- Insulinoma
- Somatostatinoma
- VIPoma (Verner-Morrison syndrome)
A family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I) is a risk factor for the development of NETs.
Symptoms depend on which hormone is made by the tumor.
For example, insulinomas produce insulin, which lowers the blood sugar level. Symptoms may include:
- Feeling tired or weak
- Shaking or sweating
- Headache
- Hunger
- Nervousness, anxiety, or feeling irritable
- Unclear thinking or feeling uneasy
- Double or blurry vision
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
If your blood sugar level gets too low, you may faint, have a seizure, or even go into a coma.
Gastrinomas make the hormone gastrin, which tells the body to make stomach acid. Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Ulcers in the stomach and small bowel
- Vomiting blood (occasionally)
Glucagonomas make the hormone glucagon, which helps the body raise blood sugar level. Symptoms can include:
- Diabetes
- Red, blistery rash in the groin or buttocks
- Weight loss
- Frequent urination and thirst
Somatostatinomas make the hormone somatostatin. Symptoms may include:
- High blood sugar
- Gallstones
- Yellowish appearance to skin, and eyes
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea with foul smelling stools
VIPomas make the hormone vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) which is involved in maintaining the balance of sodium, potassium and other minerals in the GI tract. VIPomas may cause:
- Severe diarrhea that may lead to dehydration
- Low blood potassium levels, and high calcium levels
- Abdominal cramps
- Weight loss
Treatment depends on the type of tumor and if it is cancerous.
Cancerous tumors can grow quickly and spread to other organs. They may not be treatable. Tumors are often removed with surgery, if possible.
If cancer cells spread to the liver, a part of the liver may also be removed, if possible. If the cancer is widespread, chemotherapy may be used to try to shrink the tumors.
If the abnormal production of hormones is causing symptoms, you may receive medicines to counteract their effects. For example, with gastrinomas, the overproduction of gastrin leads to too much acid in the stomach. Medicines that block stomach acid release can reduce symptoms.
Shishir Maithel is a Surgical Oncologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He has been practicing medicine for over 26 years. Dr. Maithel is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Gallbladder Cancer, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Hepatectomy. Dr. Maithel is board certified in American Board Of Surgery - Surgery (Certified).
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Kamran Idrees is a Colorectal Surgeon practicing medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Idrees is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor. He is also highly rated in 25 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Neuroendocrine Tumor, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor, Gallbladder Cancer, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.
Emory At Mountain Park - Primary Care Suite 104
Daniel Halperin is a Family Medicine provider practicing medicine in Lilburn, Georgia. He has been practicing medicine for over 21 years. Dr. Halperin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Neuroendocrine Tumor, Carcinoid Syndrome, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Halperin is board certified in American Board Of Family Medicine, 2008.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
You may be cured if the tumors are surgically removed before they have spread to other organs. If tumors are cancerous, chemotherapy may be used, but it usually cannot cure people.
Life-threatening problems (such as very low blood sugar) can occur due to excess hormone production, or if the cancer spreads throughout the body.
Complications of these tumors include:
- Diabetes
- Hormone crises (if the tumor releases certain types of hormones)
- Severe low blood sugar (from insulinomas)
- Severe ulcers in the stomach and small intestine (from gastrinomas)
- Spread of the tumor to the liver
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of these tumors, especially if you have a family history of MEN I.
There is no known prevention for these tumors.
Summary: This is a phase 2 single-arm, open-label clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tarlatamab in patients with relapsed extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (EPNEC) who have previously received platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. Participants will receive tarlatamab on Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1), Day 8 (C1D8), and Day 15 (C1D15), followed by administration every two weeks the...
Summary: This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of sunitinib malate in combination with lutetium Lu 177 dotatate in treating patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Sunitinib malate is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors and a form of targeted therapy that blocks the action of abnormal proteins called VEGFRs that signal tumor cells to multiply. This helps st...
Published Date: January 25, 2026
Published By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
McVey JC, Vollmer CM, Roses RE. Management of pancreatic islet cell tumors excluding gastrinoma. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 105.
National Cancer Institute website. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (islet cell tumors) treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/hp/pnet-treatment-pdq. Updated May 9, 2025. Accessed February 20, 2026.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN guidelines). Neuroendocrine and adrenal tumors. Version 3. 2025. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/neuroendocrine.pdf. Updated October 1, 2025. Accessed February 20, 2026.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN guidelines for patients. Neuroendocrine tumors. 2025. www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/neuroendocrine-patient.pdf. Accessed February 23, 2026.
Nieman LK, Spiegel AM. Polyglandular disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 212.