Gastrinoma
Insulinoma
Glucagonoma
Other Islet Cell Tumors
Recurrent Islet Cell Tumors

A link to a list of current clinical trials is included for each treatment section. For some types or stages of cancer, there may not be any trials listed. Check with your doctor for clinical trials that are not listed here but may be right for you.

Treatment of gastrinoma may include supportive care ¹ and the following:

• For symptoms caused by stomach acid, treatment may be a drug that decreases the amount of acid made by the stomach.
• For a single tumor in the head of the pancreas:
  • Surgery to remove the tumor.
  • Surgery to cut the nerve that causes stomach cells to make acid and treatment with a drug that decreases stomach acid.
  • Surgery to remove the whole stomach.
• For a single tumor in the body or tail of the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas.
• For several tumors in the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas. If tumor remains after surgery, treatment may include either:
  • Surgery to cut the nerve that causes stomach cells to make acid and treatment with a drug that decreases stomach acid; or
  • Surgery to remove the whole stomach.
• For one or more tumors in the duodenum (the part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach), treatment is usually the Whipple procedure.
• If no tumor is found, treatment may include the following:
  • Surgery to cut the nerve that causes stomach cells to make acid and treatment with a drug that decreases stomach acid.
  • Surgery to remove the whole stomach.
• If the cancer has spread to the liver, treatment may include:
  • Surgery to remove part or all of the liver.
  • Radiofrequency ablation or cryosurgical ablation.
  • Chemoembolization.
• If cancer has spread to other parts of the body or does not get better with surgery or drugs to decrease stomach acid, treatment may include:
  • Combination chemotherapy.
  • Hormone therapy.
• If the cancer mostly affects the liver and the patient has severe symptoms from hormones or from the size of tumor, treatment may include:
  • Hepatic arterial occlusion, with or without systemic chemotherapy.
  • Chemoembolization, with or without systemic chemotherapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with gastrinoma ². For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ³.

Enlarge

Pea, peanut, walnut, and lime show tumor sizes.

Treatment of insulinoma may include the following:

• For one tumor in the head of the pancreas or one tumor smaller than 1 centimeter in the tail, treatment is usually surgery to remove the tumor.
• For one tumor larger than 1 centimeter in the body or tail of the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas.
• For more than one tumor in the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas.
• For tumors that have spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, treatment may include the following:
  • Surgery.
  • Radiofrequency ablation or cryosurgical ablation, if the tumor cannot be removed by surgery.
• For tumors that cannot be removed by surgery, treatment may include the following:
  • Combination chemotherapy.
  • Palliative drug therapy to decrease the amount of insulin made by the pancreas.
  • Hormone therapy.
  • Radiofrequency ablation or cryosurgical ablation.
• If the cancer mostly affects the liver and the patient has severe symptoms from hormones or from the size of tumor, treatment may be hepatic arterial occlusion or chemoembolization. Some patients may also receive systemic chemotherapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with insulinoma ⁴. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ³.

Treatment may include the following:

• For one tumor in the head of the pancreas or one tumor smaller than 1 centimeter in the tail, treatment is usually surgery to remove the tumor.
• For one tumor larger than 1 centimeter in the tail of the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas.
• For more than one tumor in the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas.
• For tumors that have spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, treatment may include the following:
  • Surgery.
  • Radiofrequency ablation or cryosurgical ablation, if the tumor cannot be removed by surgery.
• For tumors that cannot be removed by surgery, treatment may include the following:
  • Combination chemotherapy.
  • Hormone therapy.
  • Radiofrequency ablation or cryosurgical ablation.
• If the cancer mostly affects the liver and the patient has severe symptoms from hormones or from the size of tumor, treatment may be hepatic arterial occlusion or chemoembolization. Some patients may also receive systemic chemotherapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with glucagonoma ⁵. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ³.

Treatment of other types of islet cell tumors may include the following:

• For one tumor in the head of the pancreas or one tumor smaller than 1 centimeter in the tail, treatment is usually surgery to remove the tumor.
• For one tumor larger than 1 centimeter in the tail of the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas.
• For more than one tumor in the pancreas, treatment is usually surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas.
• For tumors that have spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, treatment may include the following:
  • Surgery.
  • Radiofrequency ablation or cryosurgical ablation, if the tumor cannot be removed by surgery.
• For tumors that cannot be removed by surgery, treatment may include the following:
  • Combination chemotherapy.
  • Hormone therapy.
• If the cancer mostly affects the liver and the patient has severe symptoms from hormones or from the size of tumor, treatment may be hepatic arterial occlusion or chemoembolization. Some patients may also receive systemic chemotherapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with islet cell tumor ⁶. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ³.

Treatment of recurrent islet cell tumors may include the following:

• Surgery.
• Hormone therapy.
• Regional chemotherapy.
• Hepatic arterial occlusion or chemoembolization, with or without systemic chemotherapy.
• A clinical trial of a new therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with recurrent islet cell carcinoma ⁷. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site ³.

Glossary Terms

A chemical that gives off hydrogen ions in water and forms salts by combining with certain metals. Acids have a sour taste and turn certain dyes red. Some acids made by the body, such as gastric acid, can help the body work the way it should. An example of an acid is hydrochloric acid.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

A measure of length in the metric system. There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 2½ centimeters in an inch.

A procedure in which the blood supply to the tumor is blocked surgically or mechanically and anticancer drugs are administered directly into the tumor. This permits a higher concentration of drug to be in contact with the tumor for a longer period of time.

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called clinical study.

Treatment using more than one anticancer drug.

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

The first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach.

A tumor that causes overproduction of gastric acid. It usually begins in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach) or the islet cells of the pancreas. Rarely, it may also begin in other organs, including the stomach, liver, jejunum (the middle part of the small intestine), biliary tract (organs and ducts that make and store bile), mesentery, or heart. It is a type of neuroendocrine tumor, and it may metastasize (spread) to the liver and the lymph nodes.

A block in blood flow to the liver. It can happen while giving chemotherapy through a catheter in the hepatic artery. Sometimes doctors use drugs or other agents to cause hepatic arterial occlusion on purpose. This block of blood flow to the liver helps kill cancer cells growing in the liver.

One of many chemicals made by glands in the body. Hormones circulate in the bloodstream and control the actions of certain cells or organs. Some hormones can also be made in the laboratory.

Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), synthetic hormones or other drugs may be given to block the body’s natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gland that makes a certain hormone. Also called endocrine therapy, hormonal therapy, and hormone treatment.

A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood by moving it into the cells, where it can be used by the body for energy.

A mass of abnormal cells that forms in the endocrine (hormone-producing) tissues of the pancreas. Islet cell tumors may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.

A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called lymph gland.

A bundle of fibers that receives and sends messages between the body and the brain. The messages are sent by chemical and electrical changes in the cells that make up the nerves.

Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.

A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones, including insulin. The pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs.

A procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy abnormal cells. The radio waves travel through electrodes (small devices that carry electricity). Radiofrequency ablation may be used to treat cancer and other conditions.

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.

Treatment with anticancer drugs directed to a specific area of the body.

The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine.

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

An organ that is part of the digestive system. The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with digestive juices and churning it into a thin liquid.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Treatment with anticancer drugs that travel through the blood to cells all over the body.

Treatment.

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

A type of surgery used to treat pancreatic cancer. The head of the pancreas, the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and other nearby tissues are removed.