Neuroendocrine insulinoma and MDS

Posted by jlw218 @jlw218, Nov 20 7:38pm

my mom has been fighting a pancreatic neuroendocrine insulinoma, well differentiated grade 3 tumor in her pancreas with metastasis to her liver for the last 2 1/2 years. She was recently (about six months ago) diagnosed with secondary MDS. This is extremely rare to develop treatment related MDS under treatment, but the amount of chemo she had was keeping the tumors under control for the neuroendocrine, but when her platelet levels kept dropping more and more they did a rapid heme panel to determine the cause.

We are under active treatment at Dana Farber/BWH for both cancers. The decision to treat the MDS with chemo was made so that we could try to hold it as-is (as long as possible from transforming into AML) and relieve her from being transfusion dependent which is what happened upon initial diagnosis.

I doubt anyone has experience with this presentation but we are now struggling to control her blood sugar (primary tumor) the insulinoma is very active. she can’t have cytotoxic chemo for this as it would harm her bone marrow and accelerate the MDS progression. We went back on everolimus but trying to find another drug that might help with tumor control/burden. I have been trying for drug assistance for Piqray (breast cancer drug) has some initial data in off label use for insulin resistance.

would love to hear any and all thoughts as we continue to navigate this difficult path forward. her MDS is stable today but her pancreatic insulinoma is active and trying understand new treatment options or trials

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) Support Group.

Hello @jlw218 and welcome to Neuroendocrine support group on Mayo Connect. I appreciate your helpfulness to your mother during this complicated disease process she is dealing with. You are undoubtedly very involved in her medical care and I'm sure she appreciates your help.

I would encourage you to look at some other discussions on Connect which might be helpful to you.
--Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Insulinoma
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-neuroendocrine-insulinoma/
--Living with MDS
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-mds/
I would like to invite @ahtaylor to this conversation as she also deals with insulinoma and @loribmt who has lived with a blood cancer.

How is your mom managing the blood sugar problems related to the insulinoma?

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Welcome to the group. I have had success controlling my blood sugar with Octreotide (Sandostatin LAR or Lanreotide). I have had a modified Whipple and distal pancreatectomy and am no longer a surgical candidate. I recently had a hepatic embolization for my liver metastasis that has also helped with controlling the blood sugars. I wear a CGM which helps with management.
I agree it is a challenging diagnosis to keep under control and I am sorry to hear the MDS is complicating things. Keep advocating for your mom and asking questions and/or seeking a second opinion as/if needed. Wishing you both the best!
Please let me know if there are others questions I can assist wtih.

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@jlw218, how are you and your mom doing?

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