[Endocrine pancreatic tumors].

Endocrine active islet cell tumors of the pancreas are rare and become clinically evident mainly by symptoms of hormone over-production (hypoglycemia, gastric ulcer disease, diarrhea etc.). The tumors may occur sporadically or in connection with the familial MEN-I syndrome. Diagnosis is verified biochemically and does not need further localization studies. Localization studies are important, however, intraoperatively and in detecting persistent or recurrent tumor disease. Principally endocrine pancreatic tumors are excised selectively with exception of MEN-I patients and patients suffering from "Nesidioblastosis", where subtotal resections of the pancreas are indicated. In case of malignant metastatic endocrine pancreatic tumors palliative therapies (surgery, embolization, chemotherapy, therapy of hormone excess etc.) are demanded to improve the quality of life in these patients, since they may survive for years despite their tumor burden.