Calcified malignant insulinoma - A case report

Islet cell tumors are divided into functional and nonfunctional, and there is an association among size, consistency, behavior, and function of these tumors. Most hyperfunctioning islet cell neoplasms, especially insulinomas, are small benign tumors. Malignant insulinomas are rare; calcifications in the primary tumor and/or in its metastases are exceptional. Treatment of m alignant insulinoma is difficult and becomes more difficult in the presence of other medical problems. We report a case of calcified malignant insulin oma with hepatic metastases occurring in an 82-year-old patient with advanc ed chronic renal insufficiency. Palliative treatment with diazoxide, furose mide, and octreotide was successful in avoiding severe hypoglycemia, allowi ng a relatively long clinical remission.