Gastrinoma Treatment & Symptom

Gastrinomas are tumors associated with a rare gastroenterological disorder known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. They occur primarily in the pancreas and duodenum (beginning of the small intestine) and secrete large quantities of the hormone gastrin, triggering gastric acid production that produces ulcers. ZES constitutes 0.1% or more of cases of peptic ulcer disease. A gastrinoma can be malignant or benign and, although rare, gastrinomas are the most common pancreatic islet cell tumors. Gastrinomas occur as single tumors or small multiple tumors. Not only can these tumors lead to ulcers, they can also be cancerous and spread to the nearby lymph nodes or liver. This happens in about one-third to one-half of the cases of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. About one-third of people with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome have a genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1)syndrome. About half of persons with MEN-1 have gastrinomas, which tend to be more numerous and smaller than tumors in sporadic cases. About half of ZES patients have multiple gastrinomas, which can vary in size from 1-20 mm. Gastrinomas found in the pancreas are usually much larger than duodenal gastrinomas. About two thirds of gastrinomas are malignant (cancerous). These usually grow slowly, but some may invade surrounding sites rapidly and metastasize widely. Sometimes, gastrinomas are found only in the lymph nodes, and it is uncertain whether these malignancies have originated in the lymph nodes or have metastasized from a tumor not visible in the pancreas or duodenum. There is some evidence that the more malignant form of gastrinomas is more frequent in larger pancreatic tumors, especially in females and in persons with a shorter disease symptom duration and higher serum gastrin levels.

Causes of Gastrinoma

Common Causes of Gastrinoma :

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Symptoms of Gastrinoma

Some common Symptoms of Gastrinoma :

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Stomach ulcer symptoms.
• Abdominal pain.
• Nausea.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• Blood in the stool .
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue.

Treatment of Gastrinoma

• Chemotherapy.
• Prescription medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors that stop the production of stomach acid can treat the symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• Elimination of the tumor may require the removal of part of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and liver. In very rare cases, total stomach removal or gastrectomy may be necessary, although in most cases, prescription proton pump inhibitors are sufficient.
• Omeprazole.
• Ranitidine.
• Famotidine.