Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome Research Paper

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES) is a condition in which one or more tumors form in the pancreas or duodenum. The tumors which are called gastrinomas secrete large amounts of the hormone gastrin. The hormone gastrin causes the stomach to produce too much acid which then leads to peptic ulcers. Zollinger- Ellison Syndrome was first described in 1955 by two gentlemen Zollinger and Ellison. At the time the syndrome consisted of the following triad; gastric acid hypersecretion in the presence of fasting serum hypergastrinemia with secondary severe and sudden peptic ulcer disease and diarrhea. The sequence of events that happens within Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is clear. However, the exact cause is unknown. About 25 to 30 percent of those with ZES have it as a part of an inherited condition known as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, type 1 (MEN 1). MEN 1 includes varying combinations of endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. Ricks factors for Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome includes having a blood relative such as a sibling or parent with MEN 1. This syndrome is also most common among men age 30 to 50 years old. …show more content…
Other symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, decreased appetite, and anemia. Unintended weight loss is also a symptom of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome due to malabsorption. The malabsorption in this syndrome is multifactorial and can result from direct mucosal damage by acid, inactivation of pancreatic enzymes (if a tumor is located in the pancreas), and/or the precipitation of bile slats. Vomiting blood or blood in the stool is also common due to bleeding from the peptic ulcers. Lastly, patients with ZES have excessive acid levels within the digestive tract which can cause increased amounts of fat in the stools or