SOMATOSTATINOMA - ATYPICAL PRESENTATION OF A RARE PANCREATIC TUMOR

Somatostatinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that can result in a v ariety of symptoms depending on the secretion of other peptides in ass ociation with or in response to somatostatin. The rarity and variable clinical presentation of these tumors present problems in diagnosis an d management. This report details the treatment of a 66-yr-old male wh o had a somatostatinoma with an atypical location and presentation. Hi s clinical course was one of recurrent disease treated surgically and the interval development of cholelithiasis. He has survived 5 yr with his tumor, illustrating that monitoring peptide levels and an aggressi ve surgical approach are warranted for this condition. Prophylactic ch olecystectomy should be considered at the time of exploration.