Living with VIPoma
A tumor, usually in the pancreas, that releases a hormone causing heavy watery diarrhea and low potassium.
Understanding VIPoma
The hormone can also cause low potassium, low stomach acid, and relaxed smooth muscles. VIPomas come from pancreatic islet cells and are usually in the pancreas, but can occur elsewhere. They can release other hormones too. It can occur at any age.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Watery diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle weakness and spasms
- Tiredness and low appetite
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists, digestive system specialists and hormone specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Carcinoid Cancer Foundation and Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Carcinoid Cancer Foundation, Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Carcinoid Cancer Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the tumor releases a hormone-like substance that causes the symptoms. It comes from pancreatic islet cells. GARD doesn't list a gene.
Also known as: diarrheogenic islet cell tumor; diarrheogenic islet cell tumour; malignant vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumor; malignant vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumour; pancreatic cholera; pancreatic vipoma
Patient organizations
- Carcinoid Cancer FoundationVIPoma · United States
- Neuroendocrine Tumor Research FoundationVIPoma · United States
- Pancreatic Cancer Action NetworkVIPoma · United States
- International Neuroendocrine Cancer AllianceVIPoma · United States
- Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness NetworkVIPoma · United States
- American Cancer SocietyPancreatic tumors · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with VIPoma.
Explore research for VIPoma
Explore actively recruiting VIPoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for VIPoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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