VIPoma

WHAT IS IT?

A VIPoma refers to a pancreatic silent cell tumor that secretes excessive vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). 

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a hormone that does the following: 

• Increases secretion of sodium, chloride, potassium, and water within the small intestine
• Inhibits the absorption of sodium, chloride, potassium, and water within the small intestine
• Increases bowel motility 
• Inhibits gastric acid secretion 

WHAT CAUSES IT?

WHY IS IT CONCERNING MEDICALLY?

Increased levels of VIP will result in secretory diarrhea (deemed pancreatic cholera due to the loss of chloride) which can lead to hypokalemia and dehydration. 

WHAT IS THE INTIAL PRESENTATION?

Patient Chief Complaints:

• Diarrhea 
• Watery diarrhea

Detected Medical Problems:

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY?

Risk Factors:

Medical History:

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL EXAM?

Vital Signs:

Other:

CLINICAL WORKUP: SERUM STUDIES

CLINICAL WORKUP: IMAGING

CLINICAL WORKUP: OTHER

HOW DO WE NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL?

Conditions that present similarly and how to exclude them:

WHAT IS OUR THRESHOLD FOR DIAGNOSING THIS CONDITION?

PATIENT MANAGMENT: SYMPTOM RELEIF

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: DISEASE TREATMENT

Somatostatin (octreotide) decreased the production of VIP and is used to resolve this condition. 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

ARCHIVE OF STANDARDIZED EXAM QUESTIONS 

This archive compiles standardized exam questions that relate to this topic.

Page Updated: 04.05.2017