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VIPoma - Treatment

Alternative Names

Vasoactive intestinal peptide-producing tumor; Pancreatic endocrine tumor

Treatment:

The first goal of treatment is to correct dehydration. Fluids are often given through a vein (intravenous fluids) to replace fluids lost in diarrhea.

The next goal is to slow the diarrhea. Some medications can help control diarrhea. Ocreotide, which is a man-made form of a natural hormone, blocks the action of VIP.

The best chance for a cure is surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor has not spread to other organs, surgery can often cure it.

Expectations (prognosis):

Surgery can usually cure VIPomas. However, in one-third to one-half of patients, the tumors have spread by the time of diagnosis and are not curable.

Complications:

Cancer spread (metastasis)
Cardiac arrest from electrolyte imbalances
Dehydration

Calling your health care provider:

If you have watery diarrhea for more than 2-3 days, call your doctor.

Pancreas

Reviewed last on: 9/4/2008
Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Jensen RT, Norton JA. Endocrine tumors of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 31.

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