How to Treat Gastrinomas

Gastrinomas are tumors that occur in the pancreas or the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). They often present symptoms identical to peptic ulcers, but can be cancerous. In fact, the majority of gastrinomas are cancerous and need to be treated or removed. Special attention needs to be paid to this condition because the gastrinomas originating in the pancreas or duodenum can spread to the liver and cause intense pain in the abdominal area. There are a number of ways to treat gastrinomas.

Instructions

Treat Gastrinomas

• 1

  Consider medication, such as a proton pump inhibitor, which inhibits the amount of gastric acid produced in one's system.

• 2

  Look into surgery to remove the gastrinomas, especially since many of them may be malignant, whether they are sporadic or a result of the inherited MEN-1 syndrome.

• 3

  Try taking H-2 receptor antagonists. These drugs reduce the secretion of gastric acid, improve overall symptoms and facilitate the healing of ulcers.

• 4

  Try taking antacids to help relieve abdominal pain and other symptoms. Keep in mind, however, that antacids are not necessarily long-lasting in relief.

• 5

  Remember to treat the patient, not just the disease. Patients need emotional and spiritual support to cope with treatment of gastrinomas.

• 6

  Find out about enucleation, a procedure used to remove small tumors (less than 1 cm) from the pancreatic surface.