CARCINOID OF THE PANCREAS WITH EXTENSIVE LIVER METASTASES - SIMULTANEOUS RESECTION

This case report describes an unusually large islet cell tumour of the pancreas presenting clinically with extensive metastases in the liver . The patient involved was a 55-year-old woman. The leading symp tom w as severe, hardly tractable diarrhoea. Histological examination includ ing immunohistochemistry and measurements of the proliferation index r evealed a probable malignant Vipoma of low grade. It was treated by si multaneous RO resection of the tumour masses; the post operative cours e was unremarkable, This outcome is seen as a strong argument in favou r of a radical surgical approach even if there is significant metastat ic disease in the liver. The advantage of intraoperative ultrasound is discussed along with aspects of tumour classification and alternative therapeutic modalities.