High molecular weight form insulin-like growth factor II-producing mesenteric sarcoma causing hypoglycemia

Intern Med. 2004 Oct;43(10):967-71. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.43.967.

Abstract

An 81-year-old woman presented with frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. Her serum level of insulin was normal, but her serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II level was high. She was found to have a spindle cell sarcoma originated from the mesentery of the sigmoid colon, which was completely resected. Postoperatively, hypoglycemia ameliorated with concomitant reduction in serum IGF-II levels. Immunohistochemical study revealed positive immunostaining for IGF-II in tumor cells, and the abundant expression of IGF-II mRNA was demonstrated by RT-PCR. The presence of high molecular weight (HMW) form IGF-II in patient's serum was confirmed by immunoblotting. This is the first report of a patient with HMW form IGF-II-producing mesenteric sarcoma causing hypoglycemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / biosynthesis*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / chemistry
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / genetics
  • Mesentery / pathology*
  • Molecular Weight
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sarcoma / complications*
  • Sarcoma / secondary
  • Sarcoma / surgery
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II