Types The pancreatic islet cells have many different cell types, including alpha, beta and delta cells, each of which normally produces a specific hormone or polypeptide. Overproduction of the hormone or polypeptide by the tumor produces symptoms. Islet cell tumors are named for the main type of hormone or polypeptide they produce—those that produce gastrin are called gastrinomas, those that produce insulin are insulinomas and so on.
How It Spreads Spread may be by invasion of nearby tissues or metastases via the lymph system or bloodstream.
