Putting the pieces together: necrolytic migratory erythema and the glucagonoma syndrome

J Gen Intern Med. 2013 Nov;28(11):1525-9. doi: 10.1007/s11606-013-2490-5. Epub 2013 May 17.

Abstract

Glucagonomas are slow-growing, rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. They may present with paraneoplastic phenomena known together as the "glucagonoma syndrome." A hallmark sign of this syndrome is a rash known as necrolytic migratory erythema (NME). In this paper, the authors describe a patient with NME and other features of the glucagonoma syndrome. The diagnosis of this rare tumor requires an elevated serum glucagon level and imaging confirming a pancreatic tumor. Surgical and medical treatment options are reviewed. When detected early, a glucagonoma is surgically curable. It is therefore imperative that clinicians recognize the glucagonoma syndrome in order to make an accurate diagnosis and refer for treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Glucagonoma / blood
  • Glucagonoma / complications
  • Glucagonoma / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrolytic Migratory Erythema / blood
  • Necrolytic Migratory Erythema / complications
  • Necrolytic Migratory Erythema / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*