by Dianne Scheinberg, MS, RD, LDN
En Espaol (Spanish Version) Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare disorder that arises from tumors and ulcers in the digestive system. One or more tumors form in the pancreas or duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine). These tumors, called gastrinomas, produce a large amount of gastrin. Gastrin is a hormone that causes the stomach to produce acid. With too much gastrin, excess acid is produced, causing ulcers in the stomach or small intestine.
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Gastrinomas occur as single tumors or small multiple tumors. Not only can these tumors lead to ulcers, they can also be cancerous (up to 66% malignant) and spread to the nearby lymph nodes or liver. This happens in about one-third to one-half of the cases of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
About one-quarter of people with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome have a genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). Patients with MEN 1 have additional endocrine tumors in the brain and neck.
The cause of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is unclear. It is very rare; fewer than three out of a million people have the syndrome.
Over 90% of people with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome have symptoms typical of a stomach ulcer.
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions: Abdominal painNausea or vomitingDiarrhea (30%) Ulceration of stomach and small bowelHeartburn, difficulty swallowing (60%)FatigueWeight lossOily stoolGI bleeding with anemia, black stool, or bloody vomit DiagnosisYour doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. He or she may also refer you to a gastroenterologist, a specialist who deals with gastrointestinal disorders. Tests may include the following: Gastrin stimulation tests Standard test mealCalciumSecretin ( a hormone) Blood tests Looking for elevated gastrin levels in blood Imaging Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen to show tumors Abdominal ultrasound Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy A thin instrument with a light and camera is inserted down the throat and into the stomach and intestine to look for ulcers TreatmentTalk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
Surgical Removal of TumorIf there is only one tumor and it is not cancerous, a surgical removal may be attempted. Medications for UlcersProton pump inhibitors are medications that reduce acid by blocking the pumps in acid-secreting cells. Examples include Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, and Prilosec.Histamine blockers are medications to reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid released by the stomach. This will relieve pain and allow the ulcers to heal.Chemotherapy such as streptozocin is used in those with malignant form. with or without evidence of cancer spread.Control tumor growth with the use of somatostatin analogs (eg, octreotide). RESOURCES: American Gastroenteroligical Associationhttp://www.gastro.org National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghousehttp://digestive.niddk.nih.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES: Canadian Health Networkhttp://www.canadian-health-network.ca The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG)http://www.cag-acg.org/default.aspx References: Berna MJ, Hoffmann KM, Long SH, et al. Serum gastrin in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: II. Prostpectie study of gastrin provocative testing in 293 patients from the National institutes of Health and comparision with 537 cases fromt eh literature, evaluation of diagnostic criteria, proposal of new criteria, and correlations with clinical and tumoral features. Medicine . 2006;85:331-64.
Campana D, Piscitelli L, Mazzotta E, et al: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: Diagnosis and therapy. Minerva Med 2005;96:167-206. Notron JA, Jensen RT. Resolved and unresolved controversies in the surgical management of patients with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. Ann Surg . 2004;240:757-73. Norton JA, Fraker DL, Alexander HR, et al. Surgery to cure the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. N Engl J Med . 1999;341:635-644. Pellicano R, De Angelis C, Resegotti A, Rizzetto M. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in 2006: concepts from a clinical point of view. Panminerva Med . 2006;48:33-40. Tomassetti P, Salomone T, Migliori M et al: Optimal treatment of Zollinger_Ellison syndrome and related conditions in elderly patients. Drgus Aging 2003 20:1019-34. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00461 . Accessed September 12, 2005. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. US National Library of Medicine website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000325.htm . Accessed September 12, 2005. Last reviewed January 2008 by David Juan, MDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
