Nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor masked as anemia: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jul;96(27):e7441. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000007441.

Abstract

After a series of clinical relevant examinations. The patient was dignosed as pancreatic tomor in the pancreatic tail accompanied with the symptom of anenmia and dizziness.Until now surgery is the best treatment strategy for pancreatic tumors.So we take a joint multiple organ removal surgery.Before surgery, the main concerns of patient is whether the operation can relieve the anemia-related symptoms and improve the quality of life.The patient was dignosed as nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.A joint multiple organ removal surgery including pancreaticbody and tail, spleen, part of the stomach wall, left adrenal gland,and portal splenic vein thrombosis and lymphadenectomy were performed on this patient.After surgery, the concentration of hemoglobin gradually increased and remained stable (88 g/L) on the postoperative day7. Furthermore, complete resolution of the symptom of anemia was achieved on postoperative day 30. There was no recurrence of the tumor or the symptom of anemia during the 3-month follow-up.We conclude that NF-PNETs can manifest as anemia at the time of diagnosis, and if the tumor is resectable, surgical resection is a safe and curative form of therapy not only for the anemia but also for the original tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia / diagnosis*
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / pathology
  • Anemia / surgery*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*

Supplementary concepts

  • Non functioning pancreatic endocrine tumor