Symptoms

People with an islet cell tumor may experience the following symptoms. Sometimes, people with an islet cell tumor do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer. If you are concerned about a symptom on this list, please talk with your doctor.

Gastrinoma

• Ulcers (as a result of increased acid)
  
  
• Diarrhea

Insulinoma

• Hypoglycemia, which causes fatigue (feeling tired all the time), nervousness and shakiness, dizziness or light-headedness, seizures, and fainting episodes
  
  
• Confusion

Glucagonoma

• Hyperglycemia, which causes frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger
  
  
• Rash that spreads on the face, abdomen, or lower extremities

VIPoma

• Watery diarrhea
  
  
• Low level of potassium in the blood
  
  
• Low level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach
  
  
• Flushing (redness in the face, neck, or chest)
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Nausea

Somatostatinoma

• Type 2 diabetes (sometimes called adult-onset diabetes)
  
  
• Gallstones
  
  
• Steatorrhea (a condition where the body cannot absorb fat, causing oily and loose stools with a particularly bad odor)
  
  
• Diarrhea
  
  
• Weight loss
  
  
• Low level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach

Other symptoms

• Abdominal pain
  
  
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  
  
• Vomiting blood
  
  
• Sweating
  
  
• Rapid heart rate
  
  
• Anxiety
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Convulsions
  
  
• Loss of consciousness
  
  
• Clouding of vision
  
  
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
  
  
• Inflamed mouth and tongue
  
  
• A mass in the abdomen