Ampullary Cancer
Understanding various colon and rectum conditions and their treatment approaches
Ampullary Cancer
Last reviewed on
Overview
The ampulla or ampulla of Vater is a mound-like opening in the duodenum. The duodenum is a C-shaped part of the small intestine in the beginning. At the ampulla, the bile duct transporting bile from the liver and the pancreatic duct which brings pancreatic juice from the pancreas meets and then opens into the intestine.
Ampullary cancer is a rare type of cancer. Ampullary cancer arises from the cells lining the ampulla of Vater. Most of these cancers are adenocarcinomas. Ampullary cancers present earlier and have a better prognosis than other periampullary cancers. Periampullary cancer is a term used to refer to cancer that occurs around ampulla. This includes cancer affecting the head of the pancreas, distal bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma), duodenum, and ampulla. These cancers are grouped because they share similar clinical features and treatment options. Risk factors for ampullary cancer have not been clearly defined because of the low incidence of this disease in the population. According to a case-control study, previous cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) and use of proton pump inhibitors (medicine to suppress stomach acid) were associated with an increased risk of ampullary tumours.
Risk Factors
Surgery Details
Surgery is the best option when the cancer is diagnosed at a stage where it can be completely removed. The operation to remove ampullary cancer is called the Whipple operation, also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy. In this, the head of the pancreas is removed along with the duodenum, bile duct, gallbladder, part of the stomach, a small part of the small intestine and adjacent lymph nodes. To restore gastrointestinal continuity, the small intestine is then joined to the pancreas (sometimes the pancreas is joined to the stomach), the remaining bile duct and the stomach.
Prognosis
The 5-year survival rate of ampulla of Vater cancer after radical surgery ranges from 35.0% to 62.7%.
Treatment Options
About Author
Dr. Nikhil Agrawal
MS, MCh
This site helps you understand the disease process, best treatment options and outcome of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases and cancers. Dr. Nikhil Agrawal leads GI-HPB Surgery and Oncology at Apollo Hospitals.
Anatomical Diagram
