Is gastrinoma and 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.

What is the characteristic of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

Zollinger–Ellison syndrome (Z-E syndrome) is a disease in which tumors cause the stomach to produce too much acid, resulting in peptic ulcers. Symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. The syndrome is caused by a gastrinoma, a neuroendocrine tumor that secretes a hormone called gastrin.

What is a gastrinoma?

Gastrinomas are rare tumours that start in the neuroendocrine cells that make the hormone gastrin. There are neuroendocrine cells in most organs of our body, including the small bowel (duodenum) and pancreas. Gastrinomas make large amounts of the hormone gastrin.

How do you rule out Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

Your doctor will base a diagnosis on the following:

1. Medical history. Your doctor will ask about your signs and symptoms and review your medical history.
2. Blood tests. A sample of your blood is analyzed to see whether you have elevated gastrin levels.
3. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
4. Endoscopic ultrasound.
5. Imaging tests.

Is gastrinoma curable?

Surgery is the main treatment for gastrinoma and it’s usually the only treatment that can cure it. But surgery isn’t always possible. Some gastrinomas may have already started to spread when they are diagnosed. You might have treatment to control your symptoms if you can’t have surgery to try to cure your gastrinoma.

When should you suspect gastrinoma?

The diagnosis of gastrinoma may be suspected in patients with stomach or small intestinal ulcers if they: are resistant to treatment. have recurrent ulcers. have associated complications such as intestinal perforation and bleeding.

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.

Is gastrinoma benign or malignant?

Over 50\% of gastrinomas are malignant and can metastasize to the regional lymph nodes and the liver. One fourth of gastrinomas are related to multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I and are associated with hyperparathyroidism and pituitary adenomas.

In which organ is gastrinoma usually found?

A gastrinoma is a gastrin-secreting tumor usually found in the pancreas or duodenum. Duodenal wall tumors are frequently small and multiple. Sporadic tumors occurring in the pancreas tend to be solitary and have a greater malignant potential as compared to duodenal gastrinomas.

Is gastrinoma benign?

Gastrinomas can be either benign or malignant. More than 60 percent of gastrinomas are cancerous, according to the Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases.

Is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome curable?

The condition can be cured if the gastrinoma is successfully removed with surgery. If surgery is not possible, in some cases Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can be managed medically. People with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can live active lives for many years after diagnosis.

How do you know if you have gastrinoma?

The signs and symptoms of gastrinomas are related to increased gastric acid production, this is caused by the excess gastrin hormone that is produced by the tumour cells. Most patients experience abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, diarrhoea, blood in the vomit and/or bleeding from the back passage.