A case of haemangiopericytoma-associated hypoglycaemia: Beneficial effect of treatment with radiotherapy

Int J Clin Pract. 2006 Oct;60(10):1319-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2005.00649.x.

Abstract

A 72-year-old lady presented with recurrent hypoglycaemia and a large pelvic mass. Hypoglycaemia was accompanied by undetectable serum insulin and c-peptide and high insulin-like growth factor II (IGFII) to IGFI ratio. She had undergone successful resection of a large bladder haemangiopericytoma 7 years earlier. A core biopsy was performed, and histology confirmed the recurrence of the haemangiopericytoma. Local palliative radiotherapy resulted in the reduction of IGFII level and IGFII to IGFI ratio and increased insulin, c-peptide and growth hormone (GH) level with long-term amelioration of hypoglycaemic episodes. Clinically and biochemically, radiotherapy was more effective than GH therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hemangiopericytoma / complications
  • Hemangiopericytoma / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / metabolism
  • Recurrence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / complications
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / radiotherapy*

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II