Gastrin-producing tumors cause marked hypersecretion of gastric acid with resultant severe peptic ulcers. This describes which syndrome?

• A. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
• B. Hyperthyroidism
• C. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• D. Hypercalcemia

Answer: (C)

Gastrin-producing tumors that drive marked acid hypersecretion leading to severe, often refractory peptic ulcers define Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In this condition, a gastrinoma secretes excessive gastrin, which stimulates gastric parietal cells to massively increase hydrochloric acid production. The resulting acid injury produces ulcers that can be unusually extensive and may occur beyond the duodenum, frequently with diarrhea due to mucosal damage and malabsorption.

Peutz-Jeghers involves mucocutaneous pigmentation and hamartomatous GI polyps, not acid hypersecretion. Hyperthyroidism centers on increased metabolic activity and classic systemic signs, not gastrin-driven acid ulcers. Hypercalcemia can cause various symptoms but does not describe a gastrin-mediated peptic ulcer syndrome.