New-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic ketoacidosis: a sentinel presentation of advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), typically linked to type 1 diabetes or acute illness in type 2 diabetes, can rarely be triggered by pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA). Though 80% of PA patients have glucose intolerance, DKA is exceptionally uncommon, with fewer than 20 documented cases. A 52-year-old woman with new-onset type 2 diabetes presented with altered mental status, abdominal pain, and 23 kg weight loss over 2 months. Labs confirmed DKA (glucose: 439 mg/dL, pH 7.1, ketonuria). Elevated tumor markers (CA19-9: >10,000 U/mL, CEA: 365 ng/mL) and imaging revealed a 4 cm pancreatic mass with metastases, biopsy-proven as PA. This case underscores PA as a rare but critical DKA precipitant in new-onset diabetes. Unexplained hyperglycemia, rapid weight loss, and markedly elevated tumor markers should prompt malignancy screening. Early multidisciplinary intervention may improve outcomes in this aggressive cancer. Clinicians must maintain high suspicion for occult PA in atypical DKA presentations.