Unusual Presentation of a Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor With Sustained Fever and Weight Loss: A Case Report

Abstract

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) are a group of tumors that are rare with guiding features on CT scans and MRI images. We report a 38-year-old man referring to our hospital with a history of approximately 20 kg weight loss, fever, and night sweating since 2 months ago. He did not mention any other significant complaint except for generalized pain. Lab data revealed mild anemia and an elevated level of lactate dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase. Abdominopelvic sonography showed multiple hypoechoic lesions in the liver in favor of metastasis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy were normal. Abdominopelvic CT scan revealed multiple faint arterial hyperenhancing lesions with welldefined borders in all liver segments suggestive of hypervascular metastasis. Suspicious mass lesion near the posterior border of the pancreatic tail was also seen, suggestive of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor as the primary source of hypervascular metastatic lesions. The pathology and immunohistochemistry of the liver mass confirmed the diagnosis of NET.
After staging evaluation, he was referred to an oncologist for chemotherapy.