Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Alternative names:

gastrinoma; Z-E syndrome

Definition:

A gastrin-secreting tumor of the pancreas that causes ulceration of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

With this condition, many people have symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, but fail to respond to the usual treatment. The tumor can be located in the duodenum, stomach, spleen, and regional lymph nodes, in addition to the pancreas. In one-half to two-thirds of the people, the tumors are malignant, and spread slowly to the liver or the lymph nodes. About 25% of people with gastrinoma may also have multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I). The disease is most common in people between 20 to 50 years old; it is very rare in children. The overall incidence is 6 out of 100,000 people.