Study summary · research use only
Refractory hypoglycaemia in a localised gastrointestinal stromal tumour: Case report
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This case report describes a 46 years old female (human) admitted for evaluation of a mass in the upper abdomen, later identified as a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). On admission, the patient was found to be hypoglycaemic, which did not resolve after 10% glucose infusion. A growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) assay showed an excessive reaction of basal growth hormone, while corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) tests were within normal limits. She was suspected to have Non Islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH), and hypoglycaemia resolved after administration of dexamethasone; she later underwent chemotherapy and surgical resection, after which blood sugar levels were within normal limits. The authors describe expression of big IGF-II on the GIST surface as a reported mechanism of hypoglycaemia in such tumours.
Abstract
GIST and NICTH are mesenchymal in origin however there are very few reports of GIST associated with NICTH which is a para neoplastic syndrome, generally diagnosed when a tumour induced hypoglycaemia is noted. A 46 years old female with prime complain of awareness of a mass in the upper abdomen was admitted for evaluation and further management. Detailed investigation revealed the mass to be gastrointestinal stromal tumour. On the day of admission patient was found to be hypoglycaemic which didn't resolve even after 10% glucose infusion. A growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) assay was carried out which showed an excessive reaction of basal growth hormone however corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) tests were within normal limits. She was suspected to be Non Islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH) and hypoglycaemia resolved upon administering dexamethasone. Later she underwent chemotherapy and surgical resection after which her blood sugar levels were within normal limits. Expression of big IGF-II on the surface of GIST be it metastatic or nonmetastatic can cause refractory hypoglycaemia and can be fatal if left untreated. Clinicians should be aware of refractory hypoglycaemia in patients with large GIST's as glucocorticoid therapy may prove to be extremely useful and lifesaving even before considering any forms of definitive management of the tumour.
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