Secondary diabetes mellitus refers to
elevated blood sugar levels that develop as the result of another medical
condition. Secondary diabetes mellitus also develops when the pancreatic tissue
responsible for the production of insulin is absent because it is destroyed by
disease, such as chronic pancreatitis, trauma, or surgical removal of the
pancreas. Diabetes can also result from other hormonal disturbances, such as
excessive growth hormone production (acromegaly) and Cushing's syndrome.