Though gastrinomas are noncancerous, they often
spread to other locations (notably the LIVER) and
may develop into CANCERover time. Doctors do
not know what causes Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
though it appears to have a correlation with MULTI-
PLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA(MEN) type 1, a disorder in
which tumors (including gastrinomas) develop in
numerous endocrine glands.
The symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
are the same as those for peptic ulcer disease (DYS-
PEPSIA, NAUSEA, sensation of fullness, possible GAS-
TROINTESTINAL BLEEDING). ENDOSCOPY of the upper
gastrointestinal tract may reveal gastrinomas in
the duodenum. Abdominal ULTRASOUND, COMPUTED
TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN, or MAGNETIC RESONANCE
IMAGING(MRI) can detect gastrinomas in the pan-
creas or the duodenum. Treatment combines med-
ication to reduce gastric acid production, such as
H 2 ANTAGONIST (BLOCKER) MEDICATIONS or PROTON
PUMP INHIBITOR (PPI) MEDICATIONS, and surgery to
remove or reduce the gastrinomas when possible.
See also CANCER RISK FACTORS; CANCER PREVENTION;
LIVER CANCER; PANCREATIC CANCER; PANCREATITIS;
STOMACH CANCER.Zollinger-Ellison syndrome 95