Insulinoma

[Lizzy Liz]

An insulinoma is a rare type of tumor of the pancreas that secretes insulin, a hormone that lowers the levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

These tumors arise from cells in the pancreas that produce insulin .
Symptoms caused by low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include faintness, weakness, headache, and confusion.
Diagnosis includes blood and imaging tests.
Treatment is surgery and sometimes chemotherapy.

Insulinomas are a type of pancreatic endocrine tumor. Only 10% of insulinomas are cancerous. The average age at diagnosis is 50.