Which symptom is associated with a glucagonoma?

Which symptom is associated with a glucagonoma?

• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Chronic diarrhea
• D. Excessive thirst

Answer: (C)

A glucagonoma is a rare tumor of the alpha cells of the pancreas that results in an overproduction of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose levels. One of the hallmark symptoms associated with glucagonoma is chronic diarrhea. This occurs due to the action of glucagon on the gut, as it can lead to increased gastrointestinal motility and may cause malapsorption or other gastrointestinal disturbances. Patients with glucagonoma often present with a range of symptoms beyond chronic diarrhea, including weight loss, a characteristic rash (necrolytic migratory erythema), and hyperglycemia, but the chronic diarrhea is particularly notable and often a key presenting sign in the context of this condition. The other symptoms mentioned in the answer choices, such as hypoglycemia and excessive thirst, do not typically align with the pathophysiology of glucagonoma, where hyperglycemia tends to be common due to elevated glucagon levels.

A glucagonoma is a rare tumor of the alpha cells of the pancreas that results in an overproduction of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose levels. One of the hallmark symptoms associated with glucagonoma is chronic diarrhea. This occurs due to the action of glucagon on the gut, as it can lead to increased gastrointestinal motility and may cause malapsorption or other gastrointestinal disturbances.

Patients with glucagonoma often present with a range of symptoms beyond chronic diarrhea, including weight loss, a characteristic rash (necrolytic migratory erythema), and hyperglycemia, but the chronic diarrhea is particularly notable and often a key presenting sign in the context of this condition. The other symptoms mentioned in the answer choices, such as hypoglycemia and excessive thirst, do not typically align with the pathophysiology of glucagonoma, where hyperglycemia tends to be common due to elevated glucagon levels.