Menetrier's disease

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Ménétrier's disease is a disease of the stomach characterised by giant hypertrophy of the mucosa of the gastric fundus ref, in other words the rapid growth of the lining of the stomach. The tissue may be inflamed and may contain ulcers. The disease also causes glands in the stomach to waste away and causes the body to lose fluid containing a protein called albumin. Ménétrier's disease increases a person's risk of stomach cancer. ref People who have this rare, chronic disease are usually men between ages 30 and 60, but a childhood form also exists that has a better prognosis. It affects boys and girls equally, most often after they have a viral illness caused by cytomegalovirus or a bacterial infection caused by Helicobacter pylori. Children are not born with this disease, and it is not passed from parents to their children. ref

The disease must be diagnosed by x-ray (rare) or endoscopy and biopsy of the stomach. In adults, treatment may include medications to relieve ulcer symptoms and treat inflammation, and a high-protein diet. Part or all of the stomach may need to be removed if the disease is severe. Pediatric cases are normally treated for symptoms with the disease clearing up in weeks to months.