eMedicine Specialties > Gastroenterology > Stomach

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Author: Praveen K Roy, MD, Comments and Criticisms Editor, Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group
Coauthor(s): Homayoun Shojamanesh, MD, Former Fellow, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institutes of Health
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 5, 2006

Introduction

Background

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is caused by a non–beta islet cell, gastrin-secreting tumor of the pancreas that stimulates the acid-secreting cells of the stomach to maximal activity, with consequent gastrointestinal mucosal ulceration. ZES may occur sporadically or as part of an autosomal dominant familial syndrome called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). The primary tumor is usually located in the duodenum, the pancreas, and abdominal lymph nodes, but ectopic locations have also been described (eg, heart, ovary, gall bladder, liver, kidney).

Pathophysiology

The symptoms of ZES are secondary to hypergastrinemia, which causes hypertrophy of the gastric mucosa, leading to increased numbers of parietal cells and increased maximal acid output. Gastrin by itself also stimulates acid secretion, resulting in increased basal acid secretion. The large quantity of acid produced leads to gastrointestinal mucosal ulceration. It also leads to diarrhea and malabsorption. Malabsorption in ZES usually is multifactorial, being caused by direct mucosal damage by acid, inactivation of pancreatic enzymes, and precipitation of bile salts. ZES is sporadic in 75% of patients, while in the other 25% it is associated with MEN 1, an autosomal dominant condition characterized by hyperparathyroidism, pancreatic endocrine tumors, and pituitary tumors.

Frequency

United States

ZES occurs in approximately 0.1-1% of all patients with duodenal ulcers. Its frequency of occurrence is reported to be approximately the same as insulinoma, the most common functioning pancreatic endocrine tumor.

International

Incidence is 1-3 cases per million patients per year in Sweden, 0.5 cases per million patients per year in Ireland, and 0.1-0.2 cases per million patients per year in Denmark.

Mortality/Morbidity

Currently, the morbidity and mortality of ZES is low because of improved medical and surgical management of the disease. Fewer than 5% of patients develop a complication, such as abdominal perforation, gastric outlet obstruction, or esophageal stricture.

Race

All races can be affected.

Sex

A slight male predominance exists, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1.

Age

The mean age of onset of ZES is 43 years, with the patients with MEN 1/ZES presenting a decade earlier. Generally, a 5- to 7-year delay in diagnosis occurs. In a recent prospective study, fewer than 3% of patients were younger than 20 years, while 7% were older than 60 years at the time of disease onset.

Clinical

History

A high index of clinical awareness is needed to make a diagnosis of ZES.

  • Abdominal pain is the most common symptom, present in 75% of patients. Typically, it is located in the upper abdomen and mimics that of peptic ulcer disease. This symptom is reported more frequently by men and patients with the sporadic form of ZES.
  • Of patients with ZES, 73% have diarrhea, and this is the most common symptom in patients who have MEN 1/ZES and in female patients.
  • The combination of diarrhea and abdominal pain is present in more than half the patients.
  • Heartburn is the third most common symptom, and this symptom mimics gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and weight loss. Gastrointestinal bleeding frequently is due to ulceration in the duodenum and is the presenting symptom in 25% of patients.
  • In patients in whom MEN 1/ZES is suspected, a history indicative of nephrolithiasis, hypercalcemia, and pituitary disorders should be sought. A family history of nephrolithiasis, hyperparathyroidism, and gastrinoma also may be present.

Physical

The findings of the physical examination may be normal.

  • Patients may be pale if presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Jaundice may occur if the tumor compresses the common bile duct, although this presentation is very rare.
  • Epigastric tenderness may be present.
  • Dental erosions may be noted if symptoms consistent with GERD are present.
  • The presence of hepatomegaly suggests liver metastasis.

Causes

  • ZES is caused by a non–beta islet cell, gastrin-secreting tumor of the pancreas that stimulates the acid-secreting cells of the stomach to maximal activity, with consequent gastrointestinal mucosal ulceration.
  • ZES may occur sporadically or as part of MEN 1.

More on Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Overview: Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Follow-up: Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

gastrinoma, ZES, gastrointestinal mucosal ulceration, GI mucosal ulceration, gastrin-secreting tumor, gastrin, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, MEN 1, malabsorption, diarrhea, heartburn, pancreas tumor, pancreatic tumor

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Praveen K Roy, MD, Comments and Criticisms Editor, Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group
Praveen K Roy, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Homayoun Shojamanesh, MD, Former Fellow, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institutes of Health
Homayoun Shojamanesh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Anil Minocha, MD, FACP, FACG, Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, Professor of Medicine, Director of Digestive Diseases, Medical Director of Nutrition Support, Medical Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Internal Medicine Department, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Anil Minocha, MD, FACP, FACG is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Noel Williams, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Noel Williams, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP, Assistant Dean for Medical Curriculum, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital of the Medical College of Pennsylvania
Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law Medicine and Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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