Updated: Aug 29, 2009
A gastrinoma is a gastrin-secreting tumor that can occur in the pancreas, although it is most commonly found in the duodenum. Duodenal wall gastrinomas have been identified in 40-50% of patients. These duodenal wall tumors are frequently small and multiple. Sporadic tumors occurring in the pancreas tend to be solitary and have greater malignant potential as compared to duodenal gastrinomas.1
More than 80% of gastrinomas arise within the triangle defined as the confluence of the cystic and common bile duct superiorly, the second and third portions of the duodenum inferiorly, and the neck and body of the pancreas medially.
Rarely, primary tumors also occur in a variety of ectopic sites, including the body of the stomach, jejunum, peripancreatic lymph nodes, splenic hilum, omentum, liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, and the ovary.
Over 50% of gastrinomas are malignant and can metastasize to regional lymph nodes and the liver. One fourth of gastrinomas are related to multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I and are associated with hyperparathyroidism and pituitary adenomas. These MEN I associated tumors have been observed to occur at an earlier age than sporadic tumors and often follow a more benign course.
The triad of nonbeta islet cell tumors of the pancreas (gastrinomas), hypergastrinemia, and severe ulcer disease was described by Zollinger and Ellison in 1955, hence the eponym Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES).
Enormous secretion of gastrin from the tumor cells leads to hyperplasia of fundic parietal cells and increased basal acid secretion. This results in severe ulcer disease. Ulceration might even extend into the small intestine. The acidic content of the small intestine causes the release of secretin, which is responsible for the diarrhea, in part, caused by the outpouring of water and bicarbonate from the pancreas and small intestine.
A recent small study by Kohan et al describes duodenal bulb mucosa with hypertrophic heterotopia in patients with ZES.2 The investigators evaluated the incidence of duodenal gastric oxyntic hypertrophic heterotopia in 7 patients with ZES over an average period of 5 years. The patients underwent endoscopic examinations with methylene blue staining and biopsy of the gastric and duodenal mucosa every 3-6 months.
Of the 7 patients with ZES and an intact stomach and duodenum, 2 had no evidence of duodenal mucosal hypertrophic heterotopia, but 5 did, in whom bowel mucosa biopsies revealed patchy replacement of surface epithelium by gastric-type epithelium with hypertrophic oxyntic glands in the lamina propria.2 In addition, the patients with gastric oxyntic hypertrophic heterotopia had higher levels of average serum gastrin and basal acid output levels than those without gastric oxyntic hypertrophic heterotopia, a finding that Kohan et al suggest not only could hypertrophic and heterotopic gastric mucosa result from increased gastrin levels but that an increased incidence of postbulbar ulcers may result in affected patients.2
The true incidence of ZES is not known. ZES constitutes 0.1% or more of cases of peptic ulcer disease. Although rare, gastrinomas are the most common pancreatic islet cell tumors.
With the advent of antiulcer medications, the number of deaths secondary to ulcer complications decreased significantly. The primary determinants of survival for patients with gastrinomas are the size of the primary tumor and the occurrence of tumor metastasis.
Gastrinomas are more common in males than in females, with ratios from 1.5:1 to 2:1.
Although gastrinomas can occur at any age, the initial clinical manifestation usually appears in people aged 30-50 years.
Achlorhydria
Gastric Outlet Obstruction
Gastritis, Atrophic
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Pernicious Anemia
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Antral G-cell hyperfunction
Massive small intestine resection
Individualize the selection of treatment. Base treatment on factors related to ulcer disease, diarrhea, and malignant properties of the tumor. Antisecretory medications are helpful for controlling the manifestations of peptic acid disease and secretory diarrhea (secondary to hyperacidity).
Immediate and sustained control of gastric acid hypersecretion is the most important aspect of disease management in patients with ZES because acid hypersecretion is the cause of essentially all symptoms and early morbidity and mortality.
Once ZES is considered and while appropriate diagnostic tests are conducted, acute acid secretion usually is best controlled with oral administration of a proton pump inhibitor (eg, omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole). However, continuous infusion of an H2 antagonist (eg, ranitidine, cimetidine, famotidine), often at high doses, may be necessary for a small proportion of patients requiring rapid control of acid secretion who are unable to take oral medication.
Long-term management of acid secretion with a high dose of a proton pump inhibitor (or H2 blocker) is safe and effective.
These agents bind to the proton pump of the parietal cell, inhibiting secretion of hydrogen ions into the gastric lumen. These agents are more effective than H2 blockers in relieving pain and healing ulcers. They are the drugs of choice in ZES. Although the drugs in this class are equally effective, omeprazole is used most commonly. Efficacy and tolerability of parenterally administered proton pump inhibitors in the acute treatment of patients with suspected ZES have not been established.
Decreases gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the parietal cell H+/K+ -ATP pump.
Titrate dose to achieve a BAO of 10 mEq/h. Gastric acid hypersecretion usually is controlled with doses <80 mg/d, but doses up to and even >200 mg/d have been used in some patients.
40-120 mg/d PO
Not established
May decrease effects of itraconazole and ketoconazole; may increase toxicity of warfarin, digoxin, and phenytoin
Documented hypersensitivity
C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Bioavailability may increase in elderly persons
Inhibits gastric acid secretion. Titrate dose to achieve a BAO of 10 mEq/h. Efficacy and tolerability of IV administration in acute treatment of patients with suspected ZES have not been established.
30 mg PO qd
Not established
May decrease effects of ketoconazole and itraconazole; may increase theophylline clearance
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
Consider adjusting dose in patients with liver impairment
Decreases gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the parietal cell H+/K+ -ATP pump. Titrate dose to achieve a BAO of 10 mEq/h.
20-mg tab PO qd for 4-8 wk
Not established
May decrease effects of itraconazole and ketoconazole; may increase toxicity of warfarin, digoxin, and phenytoin
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
Symptomatic relief with proton pump inhibitors may mask symptoms of gastric malignancy
S-isomer of omeprazole. Inhibits gastric acid secretion by inhibiting H+/K+ -ATP pump at secretory surface of gastric parietal cells. Titrate dose to achieve a BAO of 10 mEq/h.
20 mg PO qd for 4 wk
Not established
Amoxicillin or clarithromycin may increase plasma levels when used concurrently; may reduce absorption of dapsone; may increase levels of diazepam and GI absorption of digoxin; may decrease absorption of iron, ketoconazole, and itraconazole
Documented hypersensitivity
C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Symptomatic relief with proton pump inhibitors may mask symptoms of gastric malignancy
Inhibit the action of histamine on the parietal cell, which inhibits acid secretion. All agents in this class are equally effective. Intravenous administration may be helpful in patients who are unable to take oral medication.
Inhibits histamine stimulation of the H2 receptor in gastric parietal cells, which, in turn, reduces gastric acid secretion, gastric volume, and hydrogen concentrations. Titrate dose to achieve BAO <10 mEq/h.
150 mg PO bid; not to exceed 600 mg/d
Alternatively, 50 mg/dose IV/IM q6-8h
<12 years: Not established
>12 years: 1.25-2.5 mg/kg/dose PO q12h; not to exceed 300 mg/d; alternatively, 0.75-1.5 mg/kg/dose IV/IM q6-8h; not to exceed 400 mg/d
May decrease effects of ketoconazole and itraconazole; may alter serum levels of ferrous sulfate, diazepam, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, and oxaprozin
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
Caution in renal or liver impairment; if changes in renal function occur during therapy, consider adjusting dose or discontinuing treatment
Inhibits histamine at H2 receptors of the gastric parietal cells, resulting in reduced gastric acid secretion, gastric volume, and hydrogen concentrations. Titrate dose to achieve BAO <10 mEq/h.
150 mg PO qid; not to exceed 600 mg/d; 50 mg/dose IV/IM q6-8h; not to exceed 400 mg/d
Not established
Can increase blood levels of theophylline, warfarin, tricyclic antidepressants, triamterene, phenytoin, quinidine, propranolol, metronidazole, procainamide, and lidocaine
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
Elderly persons may experience confusional states; may cause impotence and gynecomastia in young males; may increase levels of many drugs; adjust dose or discontinue treatment if changes in renal function occur
Competitively inhibits histamine at H2 receptor of gastric parietal cells, resulting in reduced gastric acid secretion, gastric volume, and hydrogen concentrations. Titrate dose to achieve a BAO of 10 mEq/h.
40 mg PO bid
Not established
May decrease the effects of ketoconazole and itraconazole
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
If changes in renal function occur during therapy, consider adjusting dose or discontinuing treatment
Indicated in metastatic disease and in patients who are not candidates for surgery. Reduce tumor size and improve symptoms secondary to metastatic effects of the tumor. A combination of streptozocin, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin has been used, with a response rate of as high as 65%.
Inhibits DNA synthesis without significantly affecting bacterial or mammalian RNA or protein synthesis.
Administer under direction of oncologist experienced in both use of medication and treatment of this disease
Not established
None reported
Documented hypersensitivity
C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Monitor closely for evidence of renal, hepatic, or hematopoietic toxicity; perform CBC count and LFTs weekly
Interferes with DNA synthesis by blocking methylation of deoxyuridylic acid, inhibiting thymidylate synthetase, and, subsequently, inhibiting cell proliferation.
Administer under direction of oncologist experienced in both use of medication and treatment of this disease
Not established
Leucovorin may enhance toxicity
Documented hypersensitivity; poor nutritional status; depressed bone marrow function; potentially serious infections
D - Unsafe in pregnancy
Discontinue use if stomatitis or esophagopharyngitis, rapidly falling WBC count, leukopenia (WBC <3500/mm3), intractable vomiting, diarrhea, GI ulceration and bleeding, thrombocytopenia (platelets <100,000/mm3), or hemorrhage occurs
Inhibits topoisomerase II and produces free radicals, which may cause the destruction of DNA. The combination of these 2 events can, in turn, inhibit the growth of neoplastic cells.
Administer under direction of oncologist experienced in both use of medication and treatment of this disease
Not established
May decrease phenytoin and digoxin plasma levels; phenobarbital may decrease plasma levels; cyclosporine may induce coma or seizures; mercaptopurine increases toxicity; cyclophosphamide increases cardiac toxicity
Documented hypersensitivity; severe heart failure, cardiomyopathy, impaired cardiac function, preexisting myelosuppression
D - Unsafe in pregnancy
Irreversible cardiac toxicity and myelosuppression may occur; extravasation may result in severe local tissue necrosis; reduce dose in patients with impaired hepatic function
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gastrinoma, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, ZES, ZE syndrome, pancreatic tumor, pancreas tumor, duodenal tumor, duodenal wall tumor, lymph node tumor, gastrin-secreting tumor, tumor, pancreatic islet cell tumors, malignancy, malignant tumor, basal acid output, BAO, ulcer, severe ulcer disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, MEN type I, ulcerogenic islet cell tumor
Jennifer Lynn Bonheur, MD, Attending Physician, Division of Gastroenterology, Lenox Hill Hospital
Jennifer Lynn Bonheur, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, New York Academy of Sciences, New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Senthil Nachimuthu, MD, FACP, Fellow in Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine
Senthil Nachimuthu, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Manoop S Bhutani, MD, FACG, FACP, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Director, Center for Endoscopic Ultrasound, Co-Director, Center for Endoscopic Research, Training and Innovation, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Manoop S Bhutani, MD, FACG, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
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Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
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Simmy Bank, MD, Chair, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Long Island Jewish Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
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Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP, Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Southwest Medical Consultants, SC, Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Health Systems
Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
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
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