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==Description==

==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 approximately ten dogs and it is therefore extremely rare.

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 approximately ten dogs and it is therefore extremely rare.

As in humans, glucagonoma is characterised by the formation of skin lesions collectively described as '''necrolytic migratory erythema''' (NME)<ref>Byrne KP. '''Metabolic epidermal necrosis-hepatocutaneous syndrome.''' ''Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999 Nov;29(6):1337-55.''</ref>, 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|diabetes mellitus]] as glucagon is antagonistic to insulin.

As in humans, glucagonoma is characterised by the formation of skin lesions collectively described as '''necrolytic migratory erythema''' (NME)<ref>Byrne KP. '''Metabolic epidermal necrosis-hepatocutaneous syndrome.''' ''Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999 Nov;29(6):1337-55.''</ref>, a syndrome which is observed much more commonly in dogs with liver failure when it is termed [[Superficial Necrolytic Dermatopathy|'''hepataocutaneous syndrome''']].  Glucagonoma accounts for approximately ten percent of cases of NME.  Dogs with glucagonoma frequently show signs of [[Diabetes Mellitus|diabetes mellitus]] as glucagon is antagonistic to insulin.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

Affected animals often develop '''hypergylcaemia''' due to the effects of glucagon and it may be difficult to differentiate the disease from simple diabetes mellitus.  Glycosuria may also be detected.   

Affected animals often develop '''hyperglycaemia''' due to the effects of glucagon and it may be difficult to differentiate the disease from simple diabetes mellitus.  Glycosuria may also be detected.   

Excessive concentrations of glucagon are thought to increase the rate at which amino acids are converted to urea in the liver, reducing the '''plasma concentrations of amino acids'''.

Excessive concentrations of glucagon are thought to increase the rate at which amino acids are converted to urea in the liver, reducing the '''plasma concentrations of amino acids'''.

===Pathology===

===Pathology===

A definitive diagnosis is made by performing '''immunohistochemistry''' on pancreatic biopsy samples to detect an expanded population of glucagon-secreting alpha cells.  The tumours are often large at the time of disgnosis (>5 centimetres in diameter) and they frequently metastasise to the liver or local lymph nodes.  Vacuolar hepatopathy may be observed on histopathological analysis of liver biopsies.

A definitive diagnosis is made by performing '''immunohistochemistry''' on pancreatic biopsy samples to detect an expanded population of glucagon-secreting alpha cells.  The tumours are often large at the time of diagnosis (>5 centimetres in diameter) and they frequently metastasise to the liver or local lymph nodes.  Vacuolar hepatopathy may be observed on histopathological analysis of liver biopsies.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]

[[Category:Dog]]

[[Category:Dog]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]