What kind of tumor is a gastrinoma?

A gastrinoma is primarily characterized as a neuroendocrine tumor that secretes gastrin, a hormone responsible for stimulating the production of gastric acid in the stomach. This type of tumor generally originates in the pancreas or in the duodenum. When excessive amounts of gastrin are produced due to a gastrinoma, it can lead to a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which is marked by recurrent episodes of peptic ulcers, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal symptoms resulting from elevated gastric acid secretion.

Understanding the nature of gastrin, its role in digestion, and the implications of its overproduction clarifies why recognizing gastrin is crucial for the diagnosis and management of conditions related to gastrin-secreting tumors like gastrinomas.