Zollinger–Ellison syndrome

Zollinger–Ellison syndrome
Other namesgastrinoma, pancreatic ulcerogenic tumor syndrome, ZES, Z-E syndrome[1]
Endoscopy image of multiple small ulcers in the distal duodenum in a patient with Zollinger–Ellison syndrome
SpecialtyEndocrinology 
CausesGastrinoma

Zollinger–Ellison syndrome (Z-E syndrome) is a disease in which tumors cause the stomach to produce too much acid, resulting in peptic ulcers. Symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea.

The syndrome is caused by the formation of a gastrinoma, a neuroendocrine tumor that secretes a hormone called gastrin.[2] High levels of gastrin in the blood (hypergastrinemia) trigger the parietal cells of the stomach to release excess gastric acid. The excess gastric acid causes peptic ulcer disease and distal ulcers. Gastrinomas most commonly arise in the duodenum, pancreas or stomach.[3]

In 75% of cases, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome occurs sporadically, while the remaining 25% of cases are due to an autosomal dominant syndrome called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1).[4]

  1. ^ "Zollinger Ellison syndrome". NORD. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Zollinger-Ellison syndrome". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
  3. ^ "Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome". Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  4. ^ Rt, Jensen; B, Niederle; E, Mitry; Jk, Ramage; T, Steinmuller; V, Lewington; A, Scarpa; A, Sundin; A, Perren (2006). "Gastrinoma (Duodenal and Pancreatic)". Neuroendocrinology. 84 (3): 173–82. doi:10.1159/000098009. PMID 17312377. S2CID 5096249.