Islet Cell Tumors (Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors)
A tumor that forms in islet cells (hormone-making cells) of the pancreas. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
SymptomsTestsTreatmentsPart of: Pancreatic Cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumors
About Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Islet Cell Tumors)
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors form in hormone-making cells (islet cells) of the pancreas.
The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side. The wider end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine.
There are two kinds of cells in the pancreas:
Endocrine pancreas cells make several kinds of hormones (chemicals that control the actions of certain cells or organs in the body), such as insulin to control blood sugar. They cluster together in many small groups (islets) throughout the pancreas. Endocrine pancreas cells are also called islet cells or islets of Langerhans. Tumors that form in islet cells are called islet cell tumors, pancreatic endocrine tumors, or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pancreatic NETs)…