Long-term prognosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in multiple endocrine neoplasia

The long-term prognosis of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES) is not well defined. The findings of other endocrinopathies, the need for long-term surveillance, and the role of surgical treatment are controversial.

To help provide more information about these topics the records of 76 patients with ZES were reviewed.

Nineteen patients with gastrinoma had multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN). Fifteen had hyperparathyroidism from 14 years before to 38 years after the diagnosis of ZES. Three patients had pituitary adenomas. The unusual findings of pheochromocytoma were also seen in three patients. Sixteen patients were followed at least 10 years and 12 were followed for more than 20 years. Surgical cure was achieved in only one patient after a 12-year follow-up. The actual 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year survival rates of 94%, 75%, 61%, and 58%, respectively, were compared with patients with sporadic ZES with 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year survival rates of 62%, 50%, 37%, and 31%, respectively.

Multiple endocrinopathies are common but are rarely diagnosed synchronously, mandating life-long surveillance for patients with ZES. Long-term prognosis is good. Survival is longer for patients with ZES and MEN compared with patients with sporadic ZES. Surgical cure is rare. Surgical excision without a single localized lesion does not seem justified.