Some cells of the pancreas make hormones that are released directly into the bloodstream (endocrine system). Cancerous tumors arising from these cells are called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or islet cell tumors. Endocrine pancreatic cancers are uncommon, and are named according to the type of hormone produced:
- Insulinomas (from an insulin-producing cell)
- Glucagonomas (from a glucagon-producing cell)
- Somatostatinomas (from a somatostatin-making cell)
- Gastrinomas (from a gastrin-producing cell)
- VIPomas (from vasoactive intestinal peptide-making cell)
- Some pancreatic islet cell tumors do not secrete hormones and are known as non-secreting islet tumors of the pancreas.