Overview
Clinical Meaning
Insulinoma is the most common functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, arising from pancreatic beta cells that autonomously secrete insulin independent of blood glucose levels.
Insulinoma is the most common functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, arising from pancreatic beta cells that autonomously secrete insulin independent of blood glucose levels. The incidence is approximately 1-4 per million person-years. Understanding the pathophysiology and diagnostic approach is essential for the NP evaluating recurrent hypoglycemia. Normal insulin secretion is tightly regulated by blood glucose: as glucose falls below 3.9 mmol/L, insulin secretion is suppressed (essentially turned off) while counterregulatory hormones (glucagon, epinephrine, cortisol, growth hormone) are activated. In insulinoma, neoplastic beta cells continue to secrete insulin autonomously despite hypoglycemia, creating a pathological state of endogenous hyperinsulinism. The ongoing insulin secretion drives glucose into cells, suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, and inhibits lipolysis — all of which prevent the normal counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia. Whipple's triad is the clinical hallmark used to confirm symptomatic hypoglycemia: (1) symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia (neuroglycopenic — confusion, visual changes, behavioral changes, seizures, loss of consciousness; and adrenergic — tremor, diaphoresis, palpitations, anxiety), (2) documented low blood glucose at the time of symptoms (<3.1 mmol/L during a monitored fast), and (3) resolution of symptoms upon glucose...
