$Unique_ID{BRK03764}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Gastritis, Giant Hypertrophic}
$Subject{Gastritis, Giant Hypertrophic Menetrier Disease Protein-losing
Gastroenteropathy Giant Hypertrophy of the Gastric Mucosa Hypertrophic
Gastropathy}
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Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

119:
Gastritis, Giant Hypertrophic

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Giant Hypertrophic
Gastritis) is not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM listing to
find alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Menetrier Disease
     Protein-losing Gastroenteropathy
     Giant Hypertrophy of the Gastric Mucosa
     Hypertrophic Gastropathy

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section.


Giant Hypertrophic Gastritis is a rare disorder characterized by large,
coiled ridges or folds with surface nodulation of the inner wall of the
stomach; they often resemble polyps.  These folds may affect only part of the
stomach or they may be present throughout the entire stomach.

Symptoms

Characteristics of Giant Hypertrophic Gastritis may include pain, discomfort
and tenderness in the upper middle region of the abdomen, anorexia, nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea.  Approximately forty percent of patients vomit blood.
Occasionally, there is an ulcer-like pain occurring after a meal and there
may be loss of weight.

If protein escapes into the stomach cavity, hypoproteinemia accompanied
by the accumulation of excess fluid (edema) may be the result.
Hypoproteinemia is a decrease in the amount of protein in the blood.

As there may be an increased risk of gastric carcinoma in patients with
this condition, it is important for them to be examined by a physician
periodically.

Causes

The precise cause of Giant Hypertrophic Gastritis is unknown.  It may be
related to multiple endocrine adenomatosis (numerous endocrine tumors).

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment for patients with Giant Hypertrophic Gastritis may require a high
protein diet to correct hypoproteinemia, and, rarely, gastric resection may
be necessary.  The loss of serum protein into the stomach also may be reduced
by the use of anticholinergic drugs.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
December 1988.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate.  Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Giant Hypertrophic Gastritis, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
     Box NDIC
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 468-2162

References

CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.:  James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Eds.:  W. B. Saunders Co., 1988.  Pp. 691-2.