Glucagonoma

Description

Glucagonomas are very rare tumours of the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans that produce the hormone glucagon without appropriate regulation. The excessive secretion of glucogon is a form of topic paraneoplastic syndrome. The disease has been reported in eight dogs but it is therefore extremely rare.

As in humans, glucagonoma is characterised by the formation of skin lesions collectively described as necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), a syndrome which is observed much more commonly in dogs with liver failure when it is termed hepataocutaneous syndrome. Glucagonoma accounts for approximately ten percent of cases of NME. Dogs with glucagonoma frequently show signs of diabetes mellitus as glucagon is antagonistic to insulin.

Signalment

Glucagonoma has only ever been described in dogs and humans.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

• Very rare
• Characterised by
  • Hyperglycaemia
  • Vacuolar hepatopathy
  • Skin erythema with superficial necrotising dermatitis
• Diagnosis in dogs is difficult as presents together with DM