Abstract
VIPoma syndrome, a rare neuroendocrine tumor characterized by watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria, poses a significant
clinical challenge due to its life-threatening symptoms and limited treatment options. We present the case of a 44-year-old female with
VIPoma, initially unresponsive to standard therapies such as somatostatin analogs and chemotherapy. Despite a challenging treatment course, including
loperamide, glucocorticoids, metoclopramide, carboplatin-etoposide chemotherapy the patient’s symptoms persisted. The turning point
came with the initiation of sunitinib therapy, leading to a rapid and complete resolution of refractory diarrhea, renal insufficiency, hypotension,
and electrolyte imbalances. This case underscores the importance of considering sunitinib as a life-saving treatment in VIPoma patients with resistant
symptoms. As VIPoma is a rare entity, collaborative multi-center studies are crucial for enhancing our understanding of its natural course,
treatment strategies, and prognosis.
Keywords:
VIPoma, neuroendocrine tumors, pancreas, sunitinib
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