Question

Which pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor causes recurrent episodes of secretory diarrhea?

• A. VIPoma
• B. Glucagonoma
• C. Insulinoma
• D. Zollinger Ellison disease

Hint:

VIPoma leads to WDHA syndrome, which is characterized by watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

VIPoma: This is the correct answer. VIPoma is a rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that secretes vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The excess VIP causes severe, watery, secretory diarrhea (also called WDHA syndrome), along with dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and achlorhydria.
Glucagonoma: This is an alpha cell tumor of the pancreas that secretes glucagon. It leads to hyperglycemia, weight loss, and the 4 D's (dermatitis, diabetes, deep vein thrombosis, and depression), but it does not cause secretory diarrhea.
Insulinoma: This is a tumor that secretes insulin, leading to hypoglycemia, weakness, and confusion, but it does not cause diarrhea.
Zollinger Ellison disease: This is caused by a gastrin-secreting tumor (usually located in the pancreas or duodenum). It leads to gastric acid hypersecretion and can cause peptic ulcers and diarrhea, but the diarrhea in Zollinger Ellison is not primarily secretory, and VIPoma is more closely linked to secretory diarrhea. Thus, the correct answer is VIPoma (1), which causes secretory diarrhea due to excessive VIP secretion.