Endocrine diarrhoeas: current concepts.

Chronic diarrhoea occurs in several endocrine gland disorders, largely in gut neuro-endocrine tumours, due to the release of various agents into circulation, which affect gastrointestinal function (Table I). In the strict physiological sense, these agents may be hormones (such as gastrin), paracrine substance (somatostatin), neurotransmitters or neuro modulators (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide; VIP) or unknown agent(s) yet to be identified. For each of these syndromes or diseases (Table I), this review considers the characteristics of diarrhoea, its pathogenesis and the therapeutic aspects. The approach to the diagnosis of these syndromes, including localization of tumour tissue and the selection of appropriate anti-tumor treatment are also outlined.