VIPOMA Meaning and
Definition
-
Vipoma is a medical term that refers to a rare type of neuroendocrine tumor known as a pancreatic VIPoma. The term "VIPoma" is an acronym for "Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-secreting Tumor". These tumors originate in the cells of the pancreas that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a hormone that regulates various bodily functions.
VIPomas are typically found in the pancreatic islet cells, specifically the delta cells. These tumors are generally slow-growing, but they are known to secrete excessive amounts of VIP, leading to a condition called VIPoma syndrome or Verner-Morrison syndrome. The syndrome is characterized by a range of symptoms including severe watery diarrhea, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), dehydration, and stomach cramps.
The excessive production and release of VIP by these tumors disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. VIPoma syndrome can be debilitating and potentially life-threatening if not diagnosed and managed promptly.
The diagnosis of Vipoma is typically made through various medical procedures including imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Blood tests may also be utilized to measure the levels of VIP and other associated hormones.
Treatment of Vipoma involves a multidisciplinary approach that may include surgical removal of the tumor, the use of medications to control hormone secretion, nutritional support, and management of associated symptoms. Prognosis for patients with Vipoma depends on various factors such as the stage and size of the tumor, as well as the presence of metastasis.
Common Misspellings for VIPOMA
Etymology of VIPOMA
The word "Vipoma" is a combination of two parts: "Vip" and "oma".
The term "Vip" derives from the acronym VIP, which stands for "Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide". Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide is a hormone found in the body that plays various roles in the gastrointestinal system and nervous system.
The suffix "oma" is frequently used in medical terminology to denote a tumor or abnormal growth. It comes from the Greek word "oma", which means "swelling" or "tumor".
Therefore, when combined, "Vipoma" refers to a tumor or growth that produces vasoactive intestinal peptide, typically found in certain neuroendocrine cells of the pancreas. Vipomas are usually associated with a rare medical condition called Verner-Morrison syndrome or pancreatic cholera.
