ISSN: 2044-9038 (Print) 2044-9046 (Electronic)

Clinical Practice

Insulinoma

An insulinoma is a small tumour in the pancreas that produces an excess amount of insulin. In most cases, the tumour isn’t cancerous. Most insulinomas are less than 2 centimetres in diameter. The pancreas is an endocrine organ located behind your stomach. One of its functions is to produce hormones that control the level of sugar in your bloodstream, such as insulin. Normally, the pancreas stops creating insulin when your blood sugar drops too low. This allows your blood sugar levels to return to normal. When an insulinoma forms in your pancreas, however, it will continue to produce insulin, even when your blood sugar is too low. This can lead to severe hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar. Hypoglycaemia is a dangerous condition that can cause blurred vision, light-headedness, and unconsciousness. It can also be life-threatening. When you eat food, the pancreas creates insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body store the sugar from your food. Once the sugar has been absorbed, the pancreas stops producing insulin. This process usually keeps blood sugar levels stable. However, it can be disrupted when an insulinoma develops. The tumor continues to produce insulin even when your blood sugar drops too low. This can lead to hypoglycemia, a serious condition characterized by low blood sugar levels.    

High Impact List of Articles

Relevant Topics in Clinical