prednylidene and Pancreatic-Neoplasms

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare hematologic disorder, which may be idiopathic or secondary to a variety of diseases. However, there are very few reports of TTP in the context of pancreatic neoplasms. We report a case of relapsing TTP after initial treatment with plasmapheresis, corticosteroids, and rituximab, in a 59-year-old woman. During diagnostic work-up, a pancreatic lesion 35 × 25 mm in size was discovered incidentally and splenopancreatectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was benign glucagonoma. The hematological symptoms resolved completely after the procedure and 3 years later, the patient is well with no sign of recurrence of TTP or glucagonoma. To our knowledge, this represents the first documented case of a non-secreting benign pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (glucagonoma) associated with TTP that is refractory to standard treatment.

Topics: Female; Glucagonoma; Humans; Incidental Findings; Middle Aged; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Plasmapheresis; Prednisolone; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; Recurrence; Rituximab; Splenectomy; Treatment Failure