What is the characteristic of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare digestive disorder that results in too much gastric acid. This excess gastric acid can cause peptic ulcers in your stomach and intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and diarrhea. If left untreated, there can be serious complications.
When should you suspect Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
A medical professional may suspect Zollinger-Ellison syndrome if blood drawn after the infusion shows an elevated gastrin level. Once a diagnosis is made, localizing the tumor is important. Most Gastrinoma are small lesions and therefore, localizing the tumor may be difficult.
How is Gastrinoma diagnosed?
Diagnostic tests to confirm gastrinoma include:
- Secretin test/fasting serum gastrin. This test diagnoses problems with the pancreas by measuring its ability to respond to the hormone secretin.
- Gastric pH test. This test uses an endoscopy to assess the amount of gastric acid in your stomach.
- Imaging tests.
- Biopsy.
What percentage of Zollinger-Ellison is malignant?
Approximately 25% to 30% of ZES patients also have a genetic (inherited) disorder known as “multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1,” which also causes tumors in the pituitary and parathyroid glands. Another complication of ZES is that more than half of single gastrinomas are malignant (cancerous).
How do you know if you have Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Signs and symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may include: Abdominal pain. Diarrhea. Burning, aching, gnawing or discomfort in your upper abdomen.
How do you rule out Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Your doctor will base a diagnosis on the following:
- Medical history. Your doctor will ask about your signs and symptoms and review your medical history.
- Blood tests. A sample of your blood is analyzed to see whether you have elevated gastrin levels.
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
- Endoscopic ultrasound.
- Imaging tests.
Is gastrinoma the same as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which one or more tumors form in your pancreas or the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum). These tumors, called gastrinomas, secrete large amounts of the hormone gastrin, which causes your stomach to produce too much acid.
Is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome the same as Gastrinoma?
Can you cure Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Doctors may recommend surgery to remove the tumors that cause Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in people who don’t have MEN1. In some cases, removing the gastrinomas will cure Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and prevent the tumors from spreading to other parts of the body.
What is the best treatment for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Medications known as proton pump inhibitors are the first line of treatment. These are effective medications for decreasing acid production in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Proton pump inhibitors are powerful drugs that reduce acid by blocking the action of the tiny “pumps” within acid-secreting cells.