Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome Flashcards
What are the primary symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES)?
Severe peptic ulcer disease
chronic diarrhea
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What causes Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Gastrin-secreting tumors
usually in the pancreas or duodenum
leading to overstimulation of acid-secreting parietal cells in the stomach
What are the two main treatment goals for ZES?
-Control of acid hypersecretion to manage refractory peptic disease
-control of the gastrinoma, which is often malignant.
How are the terms “gastrinoma” and “ZES” different?
“Gastrinoma” refers to the neuroendocrine tumor (NET) secreting gastrin
while “ZES” refers to the clinical manifestations of the disease
What percentage of ZES cases are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1)?
20-25%
whereas nearly 50% of patients with MEN-1 will have gastrinomas.
What is the average time from symptom onset to ZES diagnosis, and why is there a delay?
About 8 years, often due to the widespread use of PPIs, which mask symptoms.
What is the current surgical treatment focus for ZES?
Resection of the gastrinoma and long-term pharmacologic acid suppression
What is the second most common functional neuroendocrine tumor after insulinoma?
Gastrinoma.
At what age is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) usually diagnosed?
It is most commonly diagnosed in the fifth decade of life, typically between ages 20 and 60
At what average age do patients with MEN-1 typically develop ZES compared to sporadic cases?
The average age of onset for MEN-1 patients is 33.2 years, compared to 43.5 years for sporadic cases
With which other syndromes is gastrinoma sometimes associated?
von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
von Recklinghausen’s disease.
What normally controls gastric acid secretion to maintain pH homeostasis?
Negative feedback from somatostatin release by gastric D cells
What are the most common presenting symptoms of gastrinoma?
Abdominal pain and diarrhea (reported in over 70% of cases)
What is the average delay from symptom onset to ZES diagnosis
Between 6 and 8 years
Where are gastrinomas most commonly found?
In the pancreas or duodenum, specifically within the “gastrinoma triangle.”
What anatomical boundaries define the gastrinoma triangle?
The cystic duct, the second and third portions of the duodenum, and the neck and body of the pancreas.
In which ectopic locations can gastrinomas occasionally occur?
The stomach, bile duct, periportal lymph nodes, lungs, heart, and ovaries
What is the most common location for gastrinomas in the duodenum?
The first portion of the duodenum, with incidence decreasing distally.
Are duodenal gastrinomas easy to detect preoperatively?
No, they are often very small and can be difficult to identify preoperatively and intraoperatively.
What is the incidence of duodenal versus pancreatic gastrinomas in MEN-1 patients?
MEN-1 patients often have multiple tumors in the pancreas or duodenum
most sporadic gastrinomas occurring in the duodenum
What is the prognosis for patients with pancreatic gastrinomas versus duodenal gastrinomas?
Pancreatic gastrinomas have a poorer prognosis due to a higher rate of liver metastases
How do liver metastases affect the prognosis of gastrinoma patients?
Diffuse liver metastases are associated with a 10-15% 10-year survival rate, whereas absence of liver metastases corresponds to a 95% survival rate
What is the significance of the primary tumor size in gastrinomas?
Larger primary tumor size is predictive of distant metastasis
What is the typical Ki-67 proliferative rate in gastrinomas?
Gastrinomas have a low Ki-67 rate, around 1% to 2%, indicating they are generally slow-growing tumors.