Other neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract

Several other GI NETs, including VIPomas, somatostatinomas, and GRFomas, have been reported in human patients, but have not yet been identified in dogs or cats.³⁰

Key Facts

■ Insulinoma is the most common NET in dogs, followed by gastrinoma.

■ An insulinoma should be suspected in a patient with hypoglycemia with an increased serum insulin concentration.

■ Insulinomas are ultimately malignant in most dogs. However, many dogs can be successfully managed for more than 1 year.

■ Localization of NETs of the GI tract can be challenging.

■ If a gastrointestinal NET has been identified, the treatment of choice is removal of the tumor and medical management of the clinical syndrome.