Methods Of Treating Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome causes a singular tumor or multiple tumors to form in the upper portion of a patient's small intestine. The tumors, otherwise known as gastrinomas, create excess gastrin. This is a necessary hormone for individuals, but in excess amounts, it destroys the balance of the gastrointestinal system. The stomach produces too much acid. Since there's more acid than the body can handle, patients experience diarrhea and peptic ulcers. Though the disease can develop at any time, most patients initially develop symptoms between twenty and fifty years old.

There are multiple treatment options for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The mildest focus on symptom management, while more heavy-duty treatments attack the disease at its source. Learn about these options now.

Tumor Debulking

Tumor debulking is a treatment that addresses the tumors causing Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Debulking is often recommended in cases where complete tumor removal is impossible. Removing the tumors is a difficult undertaking, especially in cases where multiple tumors are present. For patients with only one tumor, surgical removal may be an option, but for patients with liver tumors or multiple tumors, debulking is an alternative to full removal. The goal of debulking is to surgically excise as many tumors as possible, or as much of a tumor as can be safely removed. Though the tumor will grow back if left alone afterward, debulking is usually coupled with radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Debulking the tumors makes it much more likely that chemotherapy will destroy everything left. If chemotherapy treatment is used without debulking, there's no guarantee all the tumors will be broken down.

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Embolization

Embolization is another treatment designed to attack and destroy tumor cells. Rather than using radiation or chemicals to harm the cells, this treatment involves cutting off the supply of blood to the tumors. Arterial embolization is a medical procedure where tiny pieces of material are injected into the main blood vessel. These pieces clog the vessel, which deprives the tumor of oxygen needed to thrive. It also keeps the tumor from utilizing components of the blood that encourage growth. In most cases, this treatment is meant to destroy the tumor. Sometimes the procedure will be done before a tumor removal surgery, ensuring a much easier surgical procedure. For patients whose tumors cannot be removed, this treatment can also be used to provide pain relief if the tumors themselves are causing discomfort.

Continue reading to reveal more methods of treating Zollinger-Ellison syndrome now.