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Beta Cell Tumors

Beta cell tumors, also frequently referred to as insulinomas or pancreatic insulin-producing tumors, are usually benign neoplasms, or abnormal, non-spreading, masses of tissue, that grow in the pancreas, specifically in the beta cells of the pancreas. Beta cells are responsible for producing insulin in the body, an enzyme that breaks down the sugars in food.

  1. Behavior

    • A neoplasm, according to the National Cancer Institute, is the result of excessive cell growth. It is "a mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should." Hence, a beta cell tumor is the result of an excessive number of beta cells, as opposed to a different kind of cell, in the pancreas, and the characteristic behavior of such a tumor is simply to produce excess insulin.

    Symptoms

    • The primary symptom of beta cell tumors is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This is the result of having too much insulin in the body, digesting blood sugar, as a result of the excess insulin produced by the cells of the tumor. Hypoglycemia can be characterized by mental confusion, weakness, fatigue and convulsions as well as fasting blood glucose levels that are abnormally low.

    Localization

    • Beta cell tumors are located in the body through CT scans, which can provide cross-sectional views of the pancreas, making it easier to find unusual growths within the organ than with traditional x-rays. An ultrasound may also be used to locate a possible tumor, as it can reveal not only the structure of an organ, but also its movement and blood flow.

    Treatment and Management

    • Beta cell tumors are usually treated by first treating the hypoglycemia, which involves administering glucose, or glucose-containing foods. The tumor, if possible, will then be surgically removed. If surgery is ineffective or must be delayed, the condition will be managed through medical therapy consisting of the administration of diazoxide, octreotide and a diuretic. These all have the effect of lowering the insulin level in the body.

    Features

    • Beta cell tumors are the most common type of pancreatic tumor, are not predominately found in either men or women, but do tend to appear in adults rather than children. Most such tumors are less than 1.5 cm in size and appear singly.

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