zollinger-ellison

I am online tonight a duaghter who her dad to colon ca 15 years ago worried because mom is having stat CT done in the morning r/t pancreas mass that is palpable and tenber to touch.  5 years ago during upper endo the GI d/c high gastrin levels and talked about zollinger-ellsion he never rould it in or out.  wanted to to a special CT but we did not have one ran 2 more upper endos but never and answer mom saw a second GI the next year.  She just had upper and lower again this summer.  now this mass.  
Could she have had zollinger-ellison all along.....after a few years had gone by we figured there could not have been anything wrong knowing pancreatic CA is fast. any thoughts???

I have crohns and the GI thought dad had it also and did not do a colonoscopy because they couldn't do anything anyway"  3 years later..........we found out it was not corhn's but too late colon ca.  now this with Mom.  

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It may be possible that ZE has been present all along.  Normally a serum gastrin level above 1000 is diagnostic - as well as the presence of ulcers stemming from the elevated gastrin levels.

Imaging is normally done to localize the tumor - this can be done via an Octreoscan or endoscopic ultrasound.  

These options can be discussed with the GI physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[alicedug]

Thank you for your response.  The CT was done today awaiting results but it was not that special scan.  She had CT and ultrasound 5 years ago that were neg.  And upper and lower endo this summer she has never been dx with ulcers so maybe it will be ok.  I hope  thank you for your time.