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Spontaneous Remission Of Zollinger-ellison Syndrome

Melnyk et al., 1965Pancreatic cancer

Archives of Internal Medicine 115: Jan 1965; 42-47

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Abstract

A unique case of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is described with chronic diarrhea, multiple peptic ulcerations, gastric hypersecretion, and a mild malabsorptive state, undergoing spontaneous remission for 20 months after laparotomy and single lymph node biopsy of an invasive islet cell carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. The possible reasons for this result are discussed.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

A 50-year-old welder

Clinical Characteristics

Chronic diarrhea, multiple peptic ulcerations, gastric hypersecretion, and a mild malabsorptive state

Remission Characteristics

Undergoing spontaneous remission for 20 months after laparotomy and single lymph node biopsy of an invasive islet cell carcinoma of the head of the pancreas

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Not discussed

Clinical Treatment

Laparotomy and single lymph node biopsy

Additional Notes

The patient was treated in the hospital for two months with a bland diet, hourly antacids, anticholinergics, and sedation. He experienced moderate improvement in the pain and some decrease in the diarrhea but required analgesics periodically for relief of severe right upper quadrant pain.