Gastrinoma

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Also known as: Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Description

A gastrinoma is a neoplasm of pancreatic islet cells that secretes the hormone gastrin, an example of a ectopic paraneoplastic disease. The disease was first described by Zollinger and Ellison in humans in 1955 and it has since been recognised occasionally in dogs and cats.

The excessive secretion of gastrin leads to hyperstimulation of gastric acid production from the parietal cells of the stomach. Image of pancreatic garstrinoma in a dog from Cornell Veterinary Medicine

  • Described in dogs, cats
  • Known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in humans
  • Uncommon compared to beta cell neoplasms
  • Excess gastrin causes hyperacidity in the stomach and mucosal hyperplasia of the antral region causing gastric and duodenal ulceration

Clinical signs

Pathology

  • Multiple variably sized neoplasms
  • Increased connective tissue mass - firm
  • Partiallty encapsulated
  • Invade locally
  • Metastases to liver and local lymph nodes are common