Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Glucagonoma is a rare tumor of the endocrine pancreas that secretes glucagon. This condition is often referred to as a "diabetes-dermatitis syndrome" due to its characteristic symptoms: mild diabetes, anemia, and a distinctive red, blistering rash that appears and disappears in different locations.12

While glucagon's primary role is to raise blood glucose levels by breaking down glycogen and stimulating glucose production in the liver, glucagonomas lead to excessively high serum glucagon concentrations. This hormonal imbalance is the root cause of the associated symptoms. Diagnosis can be challenging due to nonspecific findings, but it involves assessing pancreatic and liver functions, and potentially imaging techniques. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, depending on the tumor's characteristics and stage.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. pancreatic cancer
  2. glucagon

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.