Etymed
insulinoma
Definition
A tumor that produces insulin, typically resulting in hypoglycemia
Clinical context
A 45-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with confusion, sweating, and palpitations that occur approximately 4-6 hours after eating. She has a history of episodes where she feels shaky and anxious, and her coworkers have noticed her becoming irritable and clumsy during these episodes. Blood glucose levels are low during these episodes, but her symptoms improve with oral glucose administration. A CT scan reveals a pancreatic mass. The patient is diagnosed with insulinoma and undergoes surgical resection of the tumor.
Mnemonic
HYPOglycemia from INSULINoma causes HUNGRY, HAZY, and HYPERTROPHIC symptoms