What Patients Say About Cancer Treatment at New Hope
What Is Islet Cell Cancer?
Battling a progressive disease starts with being armed with essential information.
Islet cell cancer describes a group of cancers that can occur in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. Islet cells produce and release hormones, such as glucagon and insulin, into the bloodstream. Depending on the type of islet cell tumor, an overproduction of specific hormones can occur. If the cancerous tumor metastasizes (spreads) to other parts of the body, the cancer can become very serious.
Islet cell cancers are very rare. Other names for this disease include islet of Langerhans tumor, pancreatic endocrine tumor, and neuroendocrine tumor.
Islet Cell Cancers We Treat at New Hope Unlimited
There are several types of islet cell cancers. Some occur more commonly than others, including:
Gastrinoma
A gastrinoma develops when an islet cell tumor produces the hormone gastrin. Gastrin plays a role in releasing acid in the stomach for food digestion.
Glucagonoma
A malignant glucagonoma produces the hormone glucagon. This hormone causes the liver to release glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream.
Islet Cell Cancer Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of islet cell tumor vary depending on the type of tumor.
The symptoms of a gastrinoma include:
- Recurrent stomach ulcers
- Abdominal pain that reacts to antacids
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Diarrhea
The symptoms of a glucagonoma include:
- Skin rashes on the stomach, legs, or face
- Tongue and mouth sores
- Unexplainable weight loss
- Diarrhea
A glucagonoma can lead to blood clotting, which can trigger the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent cough
- Chest pains
- Arm or leg pain
- Swelling of an arm or leg
- Unusual warmth of an arm or leg
A glucagonoma can also contribute to high blood sugar, which can cause these symptoms:
- Headaches
- Frequent urination
- Excessive hunger and thirst
- Dry skin
If you have persistent symptoms, do not hesitate to speak with your doctor.
Who is at Risk for Islet Cell Cancer?
The only known risk factor for islet cell tumors is having a disease called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1), as well as having a family history of the syndrome. MEN1 is a hereditary disease that causes one or more endocrine glands to become overactive or grow a tumor.
Diagnostic Tests for Islet Cell Cancer
Early and accurate diagnosis is key to improving your islet cell cancer prognosis. However, identifying islet cell tumors is not always a straightforward process and may include these tests and procedures:
- Complete medical and physical exam
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests, such as:
- Ultrasound scan
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Biopsy or removal of a tissue sample for testing
Why Choose Us for Islet Cell Cancer Cancer Alternative Treatments?
Never lose sight of New Hope during your battle with cancer. Our medical team customizes care to deliver the most successful treatment of islet cell cancers. Using a team approach that brings together medical experts in many areas, New Hope Unlimited’s treatment strategy offers everything you need for comprehensive cancer care in one location.
Our Approach
Advanced Treatments for Islet Cell Cancer
Top-Rated Physicians
Personal Care
Patient SatisfactionOur Patient-Centric Medical Facilities
At New Hope Unlimited, we pride ourselves in providing superior comfort, cleanliness, and cancer care at our 8,000 square foot medical treatment center in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. We worked with renowned architects and contractors to create the ideal space for recovery, which includes state-of-the-art lounge areas and spacious private in-rooms that assure the comfort of our patients and their loved ones.
To make our patients feel right at home, we equip each private ward with high-definition U.S. television, quality bedding, and high-speed internet connection. And with proper nutrition playing a vital role in cancer recovery, New Hope Unlimited also fulfills the dietary needs of each patient using fresh, organic produce to prepare breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners.
Comfort and cleanliness are also strictly implemented in our medical treatment rooms, which are equipped with the latest medical supplies and technology to provide the highest standard of care and treatment. Our medical center also has an in-house Hyperbaric Chamber, a well-established therapy for decompression sickness, exclusively available for our patients’ use.
Further, New Hope Unlimited has maintained its exceptional partnership with Hospital Migoo, a medical group composed of certified physicians and specialists committed to our patients’ care and well-being.
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Life-changing tales of our cancer patients and survivors.
FAQs
1. What specific treatments does New Hope Unlimited offer?
Learn about our alternative treatments for over 200 cancer types here.2. How rare is pancreatic islet cell cancer?
A population-based study from the Annals of Surgical Oncology notes that islet cell carcinomas account for 1.3 percent of cancers in the pancreas.