What is the standard treatment for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is characterized by gastrin-secreting tumors, typically gastrinomas, which lead to excessive gastric acid production and can result in severe peptic ulcers. The primary treatment goal in this condition is to control gastric acid secretion to prevent complications such as ulcer formation and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are specifically designed to inhibit the proton pumps in the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa, leading to a marked decrease in gastric acid secretion. This mechanism makes PPIs highly effective for managing the overly acidic environment caused by the gastrinomas in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. They can significantly relieve symptoms and promote healing of ulcers that may arise due to the excess acidity.

While antacids and H2 blockers can also help manage acid production and provide symptomatic relief, they are generally not as effective as PPIs in cases of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where the acid output is much higher than usual. Surgery may be considered in certain cases to remove the gastrinoma if it is localized and resectable, but the standard management primarily focuses on medical therapy to control acid secretion until the disease can be adequately managed or treated surgically if indicated.