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Ency. home > Disease > Z > Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Z-E syndrome; Gastrinoma

Treatment

A class of acid-suppressing medications called proton pump inhibitors (for example, omeprazole, lansoprazole) is now first line treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.These drugs reduce acid production by the stomach dramatically and promote healing of ulcers in the stomach and small bowel.They also provide relief of abdominal pain and diarrhea.Another class of acid-suppressing medications called H-2 blockers may also be used (for example, cimetidine, ranitidine).The H-2 blockers are less potent than the proton-pump inhibitors.

Surgical resection of a single gastrinoma may be attempted if there is no evidence that it has spread to other organs (such as lymph nodes or the liver).Resection of the stomach (gastrectomy) to control acid over production is rarely if ever necessary today.

Prognosis

Early diagnosis and surgical resection is associated with a cure rate of only 20-25 %.Gastrinomas are slow growing, and patients may live for many years after the tumor is discovered. Acid-suppressing medications are very effective at controlling the symptoms of acid over production.

Complications

  • spread of the tumor to other organs (most often liver and lymph nodes)
  • failure to locate the tumor during surgery

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if or if severe, persistentabdominal pain occurs, especially if it occurs with diarrhea.

Ency. home > Disease > Z > Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

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