Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Basics
Description
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) triad
- Markedly elevated gastric acid secretion
- Peptic ulcer disease
- A gastrinoma or non-β islet cell tumor of the pancreas or duodenal wall that produces gastrin (hypergastrinemia)
- Gastrinomas (at the time of diagnosis) may be single or multiple (1/2 to 2/3), large or small, benign or malignant (2/3), sporadic (70–75%) or associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) (25–30%).
- System(s) affected: endocrine/metabolic, gastrointestinal
- Synonym(s): Z-E syndrome; pancreatic ulcerogenic tumor syndrome; multiple endocrine neoplasia, partial; ulcerogenic islet cell tumor
Epidemiology
Incidence
- 1 to 3 per million per year in the United States
- Predominant age: middle age (30 to 65 years). Mean age of onset is 43 years; presents a decade earlier in patients with ZES/MEN1
- Predominant sex: male > female (1.3:1)
Pediatric Considerations
Aggressive cases have been reported in teenagers.
Pregnancy Considerations
Rare, pregnancy alters medication choices and surgical timing.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Gastrinoma is found the head of the pancreas (20–30%) and the first or second portion of the duodenum (70–80%); if in the pancreas, the lesion is more likely to metastasize to the liver.
- Hypergastrinemia results in gastric mucosal hypertrophy and increased acid production. Increased acid production causes mucosal ulceration. Diarrhea (60%) and malabsorption are also common in ZES.
- Increasing number found in stomach wall, up to 8%; may be due to increased surveillance and/or increased PPI use masking symptoms
- Also may be found rarely in the mesentery, peritoneum, spleen, skin, or mediastinum (possibly metastasis with primary not identified)
Genetics
- ~25–30% of cases occur in association with the autosomal dominant MEN1 syndrome—tumors of pancreas, pituitary, and parathyroid.
- Can occur sporadically as well
Risk Factors
- MEN1
- Family history of ulcer disease
General Prevention
Screen first-degree relatives of patients with MEN1.
Commonly Associated Conditions
- MEN1
- Insulinoma
- Carcinoid tumors
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688838/all/Zollinger_Ellison_Syndrome.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688838/all/Zollinger_Ellison_Syndrome. Accessed December 4, 2024.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688838/all/Zollinger_Ellison_Syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 December 04]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688838/all/Zollinger_Ellison_Syndrome.
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