Zollinger Ellison Syndrome

Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Treatments (0 treatments reviewed)

Zollinger Ellison Syndrome Overview:

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is a rare condition characterized by the development of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum and tumors in the pancreas and duodenum.  The duodenum is the first portion of the small intestine.  The pancreas is an organ positioned behind the stomach and is responsible for creating enzymes that break down food.  Many people with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome develop many tumors and approximately one-half to three-quarter of these tumors are malignant.  The ulcers that a person develops with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome are small sores on the interior of the stomach wall that have eroded because of the excess of acid present in the stomach.  To treat this condition, medicine is often taken that lowers the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

Zollinger Ellison Syndrome Causes:

It is unknown why people with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome develop tumors.  It is these tumors though that lead to the growth of ulcers.  The ulcers are developed because the tumors created in the pancreas gland excrete an excess of the hormone gastrin.  This hormone releases an excess of acid into the stomach and the duodenum to create ulcers.  Unfortunately, these ulcers developed because of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome are less receptive to treatments than common ulcers are. 

Zollinger Ellison Syndrome Symptoms:

Symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, weakness increased amount of fat in stools, vomiting, fatigue, and weight loss.  Doctors can diagnose Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome though blood tests to measure the amount of gastrin in a person’s system.  They can also do an endoscopy to look for ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. 

Zollinger Ellison Syndrome Treatments

We have compiled a list to help you compare leading Zollinger Ellison Syndrome treatments and cures before you buy.