| Popis: |
Pancreatic beta-cell tumours from four patients were studied by immunofluorescence for insulin and by electron microscopy. The literature of similar investigations is reviewed. The aim was to ascertain whether the presence of insulin or the morphology of secretory granules could be related to the severity of hypoglycaemia or to the clinical behaviour of the tumour. The results of investigating the four cases did not allow definite conclusions as regards this question. On the other hand, perusal of previous publications on this subject indicated that: (1) a positive immunofluorescence reaction for insulin in the tumour cells, found in most adenomas, but not convincingly in any carcinoma, appears to spell a favourable prognosis, (2) mature secretory granules – seen in most adenomas but also in some carcinomas – do not yield sufficient evidence of a good prognosis, (3) no association was demonstrated between the severity of hypoglycaemia and the maturity of secretory granules. |
