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Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

A rare disorder caused by a tumor called a gastrinoma, most often occurring in the pancreas. The tumor secretes the hormone gastrin, which causes increased production of gastric acid leading to severe recurrent ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, and the upper portions of the small intestine (the duodenum and jejunum). Gastrinomas resulting in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are not limited to the pancreas but may also occur in the stomach, duodenum, spleen and lymph nodes. The treatment of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome includes the use of H2 antagonists (for example cimetidine [brand name: Tagamet] and ranitidine [Zantac]) and the proton pump inhibitors (for example, lansoprazole [Prevacid] and omeprazole [Prilosec]). The H2 antagonists block the action of histamine on stomach cells, thus reducing stomach acid production. The proton pump inhibitors also block the production of acid by the stomach cells. Surgical removal of the tumor is curative in about 25% of cases. The syndrome is named for two American surgeons Robert M. Zollinger (1903-1992) and Edwin H. Ellison (1918-1970).

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Zol·ling·er-El·li·son syndrome 'zäl-iŋ-ər-'el-i-sən- n a syndrome consisting of fulminant intractable peptic ulcers, gastric hypersecretion and hyperacidity, and the occurrence of gastrinomas of the pancreatic cells of the islets of Langerhans

Zollinger Robert Milton (1903-1992)

American surgeon. Zollinger served for many years as professor and chief of surgical services at the medical school of Ohio State University. He was also editor in chief of the American Journal of Surgery.

Ellison Edwin Homer (1918-1970)

American surgeon. Ellison was a professor of surgery at Marquette University's medical school. His fields of research included blood volume studies in surgical patients, hormones of the pancreas, pathogenesis of ulcers, and nutrition in surgical patients.

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a rare disorder in which there is excessive secretion of gastric juice due to high levels of circulating gastrin, which is produced by a pancreatic tumour (see gastrinoma) or an enlarged pancreas. The high levels of stomach acid cause diarrhoea and peptic ulcers, which may be multiple, in unusual sites (e.g. jejunum), or which may quickly recur after vagotomy or partial gastrectomy. Treatment with an H₂-receptor antagonist or proton-pump inhibitor, by removal of the tumour (if benign), or by total gastrectomy is usually effective.

R. M. Zollinger (1903-92) and E. H. Ellison (1918-70), US physicians

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(ZES) a triad comprising extreme gastric hyperacidity; peptic ulcers that are intractable and sometimes fulminating; and gastrinomas (gastrin-secreting islet cell tumors) that may appear outside the pancreas, such as in the duodenum. See also multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1.

Medical dictionary. 2011.