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Neurotensinoma: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Neurotensinoma - individual neurotensin-producing cells (N-cells) are found in gastrinoma of the pancreas. There are still few reports on predominantly neurotensin-producing tumors. The first description of such a tumor was made by V. Holmstaedter et al. in 1979. Neurotensinomas, in addition to neurotensin, also contain gastrin, PP and glucagon in a ratio of 79:18:3:1. The concentration of these hormones in the serum is also correspondingly increased. In the described cases, the tumor was a benign adenoma of the head of the pancreas, consisting predominantly of N-cells, immunocytochemically reacting with neurotensin antibodies.
The symptoms of neurotensinoma are due to the presence of accompanying hypergastrinemia - Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It remains unclear to date which clinical symptoms of neurotensinoma are inherent to hyperneurotensinemia. It has been reported that in each case after total gastrectomy, massive jejunoesophageal reflux was observed, which is probably related to the effect of neurotensin on duodenal motility. Further observations are needed to determine the clinical correlations with hyperneurotensinemia.
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