Characterization of a Pancreatic Tumor Containing Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Neurotensin, and Pancreatic Polypeptide

Abstract

The biochemical characteristics of a pancreatic tumor from a patient with watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, hypochlorhydria, and steatorrhea is described Plasma concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were elevated 6-fold, those of neurotensin (NT) were elevated 10-fold, and those of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were elevated 200-fold above the normal range. The pancreatic tumor removed was found to contain high concentrations of these peptides in a similar ratio to plasma. The tumor content of NT was 6 times higher than any previously reported, but no specific symptoms could be ascribed to NT. After removal of the tumor, plasma levels of VIP, NT, and PP returned to normal, and the ..