INSULINOMA

Comments on Insulinoma - updated February 2006

See Freddie's Story here

Insulinoma a tumour of the pancreas that results in LOW BLOOD SUGAR & HIGH INSULIN PRODUCTION.

Males & Females are affected at the same frequency.

The signs/symptoms tend to be vague initially but  they become more severe and frequent as time progresses.

Fasting,excitement and exercise increase the risk of hypoglycaemia and cause the symptoms to develop.

Insulinoma is a tumour that frequently, & rapidly, spreads (the term used is metastasizes) Recurrence of this type of tumour EVEN FOLLOWING SURGICAL procedures to remove  the tumour (s) is common.

Prior to ANY surgical procedure,it should be ascertained that the tumour has NOT already spread (Chest X Rays;abdominal X-Rays) or ULTRASONOGRAPHY.

Surgery MAY increase the lifespan of the dog because it will assist in reducing the amount of excessive insulin being  produced by the tumours but this will only be temporary.

The average interval between the return of clinical signs following surgery is around 6/8 months IF there is already visible metastases at time of surgery and about 14mths /2 years if NO metastases  were detected at the time of surgery.

With a combination of medical & surgical therapy, lifespan of around 2 years have been recorded for patients following a diagnosis of this  type of tumour.

Surgery for insulinoma should always be undertaken by experienced   veterinary surgeons,  preferably where 24 hour care & back up is provided as these dogs will require essential monitoring of IV/dextrose saline infusions, plus regular monitoring of their blood glucose in the  immediate post-operative period.

Following surgery, when hypoglycaemia returns as a problem, medication on specific drugs and careful monitoring  with diet will work for a while to control clinical  signs.

Medical therapy includes the dog being fed small meals at frequent intervals;

the administration of PREDNISILONE and the use of DIAZOXIDE.

It is possible to  use medical therapy without performing any surgery but surgical removal of as much as the tumour as is possible will help more than anything else in extending the lifespan of dogs with an Insulinoma.

Diazoxide IS an expensive drug but it has been the standard treatment for hypoglycaemia associated with this specific tumour for sometime.

It can be used in combination with  prednisilone or on its own when prednisilone fails to achieve satisfactory  results.

See Freddie's Story here

Sylvia Evans

January 2006

Health Index

© Sylvia Evans -2006 - all rights reserved