An insulinoma hid behind fainting, odd behavior and weight gain
A 62-year-old woman's fainting spells and behavior changes were traced to a pancreatic tumor that a CT scan missed; she remained well 13 years after surgery.
This is a single case report, so it cannot show how common or typical the pattern is. A 62-year-old Filipino woman came in with repeated fainting episodes, changes in behavior and unintentional weight gain. Such symptoms in older adults can easily be attributed to age-related conditions.
Testing showed that her body was producing too much insulin, causing low blood sugar. Yet an abdominal CT scan found no pancreatic mass. Endoscopic ultrasound then revealed a tumor in the head of the pancreas.
Surgery to remove the mass resolved her symptoms and restored her physical and functional wellbeing. According to the authors, she remains asymptomatic and well 13 years later. The report highlights that hypoglycemia can be an overlooked, correctable cause of neurological-type symptoms, and that a negative CT does not exclude a small pancreatic tumor.
Summary prepared with AI assistance from the published abstract and reviewed by a physician. Not medical advice. Learn more
