Which condition is characterized by stomach ulcerations and high gastrin levels?

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is characterized by gastrin-secreting tumors, often referred to as gastrinomas, which typically arise from the pancreas or the proximal duodenum. The excessive gastrin produced leads to increased gastric acid secretion, resulting in recurrent and often multiple stomach or duodenal ulcers. Patients with this condition frequently present with symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, such as abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and sometimes complications like gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation due to the high levels of acid.

The high gastrin levels are a key feature in distinguishing this condition from other causes of peptic ulcer disease. In Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, elevated gastrin levels persist even after meals, contrasting with physiological responses seen in other conditions. Consequently, the presence of stomach ulcerations paired with high gastrin levels strongly indicates Zollinger-Ellison syndrome as the underlying pathology.