A rare condition characterized by severe and recurrent peptic ulcers in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum (the 2nd part of the small intestine). Zollinger–Ellison syndrome is caused by 1 or more tumours in the pancreas that secrete the hormone gastrin. Gastrin stimulates production of large quantities of acid by the stomach, which leads to ulceration. The high levels of acid in the digestive tract often also cause diarrhoea. The tumours are cancerous, but of a slow-growing type. If possible, they are removed surgically. Proton pump inhibitor drugs are given to treat the ulcers.
Zollinger–Ellison syndrome |
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