Question:

Which is the most common functioning pancreatic endocrine neoplasm?

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Think of the beta-cell tumour that causes Whipple's triad.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Insulinoma
  • Gastrinoma
  • VIPoma
  • Glucagonoma
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Pancreatic endocrine (islet cell) tumours can be functioning or non-functioning. Among the functioning ones, insulinoma is the most common.
Step 2: Approximate frequency: insulinoma (about 70 to 80% of functioning tumours) > gastrinoma (about 20 to 25%) > rarer types like VIPoma and glucagonoma.
Step 3: Insulinoma arises from beta cells and classically presents with Whipple's triad: symptoms of hypoglycaemia, low measured plasma glucose, and relief of symptoms with glucose. This makes insulinoma the correct answer.
Ref: Bailey and Love, Short Practice of Surgery.
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