Brian Untch on Symptoms of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Brian Untch, MD, assistant member, Department of Surgery, Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service, Head and Neck Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses symptoms of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). 

Functioning pancreatic NETs can produce hormones and cause high levels of insulin and glucagon. 

Nonfunctioning pancreatic NETs can begin pushing on surrounding organs if they grow to a large size. If they push on the stomach, patients may experience early satiety. They can also invade the spleen and liver, causing associated abdominal pain. 

Small nonfunctioning pancreatic NETs are often diagnosed incidentally.