by Scheinberg D
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
(Z-E Syndrome; Gastrinoma)
Definition
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.
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.
Causes
The cause of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is unclear. It is very rare; fewer than three out of a million people have the syndrome.
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase the chance of MEN 1 include:
- Family history
- Problems with the endocrine system
- Recurrent peptic ulcer disease
Symptoms
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 pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
(30%)
- Ulceration of stomach and small bowel
- Heartburn, difficulty swallowing (60%)
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Oily stool
- GI bleeding with anemia, black stool, or bloody vomit
Diagnosis
Your 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 meal
- Calcium
- Secretin ( a hormone)
-
Blood tests
- Looking for elevated gastrin levels in blood
-
Imaging
-
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
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
Surgical Removal of Tumor
If there is only one tumor and it is not cancerous, a surgical removal may be attempted.
Medications for Ulcers
- Proton 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).
Prevention
There are no know prevention steps since the cause is unclear.
RESOURCES
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org/
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
http://www.cag-acg.org/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index%5Fe.html/
References
Berna MJ, Hoffmann KM, Long SH, et al. Serum gastrin in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: II. Prospective study of gastrin provocative testing in 293 patients from the National institutes of Health and comparison with 537 cases from the 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.
DynaMed Editorial Team. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php
. Updated October 18, 2010. Accessed November 11, 2010.
Mayo Clinic.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Mayo Clinic website. Available at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/zollinger-ellison-syndrome/DS00461
. Updated July 24, 2010. Accessed November 11, 2010.
Norton JA, Fraker DL, Alexander HR, et al. Surgery to cure the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
N Engl J Med
. 1999;341:635-644.
Norton JA, Jensen RT. Resolved and unresolved controversies in the surgical management of patients with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.
Ann Surg
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Pellicano R, De Angelis C, Resegotti A, Rizzetto M. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in 2006: concepts from a clinical point of view.
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Tomassetti P, Salomone T, Migliori M, et al. Optimal treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and related conditions in elderly patients.
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