eMedicine Specialties > Oncology > Carcinomas of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater

Nafisa K Kuwajerwala, MD, Staff Surgeon, Breast Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital
Pankaj Chaturvedi, MBBS, MS, Associate Professor, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, India; Ronald S Chamberlain, MD, Chairman, Chief, Department of Surgery, Saint Barnabas Medical Center; Venkata Subramanian Kanthimathinathan, MD, Staff Physician, Department of General Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center; Uma Chaturvedi, MD, MBBS, DPB, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, KJ Somaiya Hospital and Research Center, India; Gunateet Goswami, MD, Consulting Staff, Internal Medicine Associates, Mount Clemens, Michigan; Consulting Staff, Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital

Updated: Apr 8, 2009

Introduction

Background

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is a malignant tumor arising within 2 cm of the distal end of the common bile duct, where it passes through the wall of the duodenum and ampullary papilla. The common bile duct merges with the pancreatic duct of Wirsung at this point and exits through the ampulla into the duodenum. The most distal portion of the common bile duct is dilated (ie, forms the ampulla of Vater) and is surrounded by the sphincter of Oddi, which spirals upward around the terminal portion of the duct. Because of biliary outflow obstruction, carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater tends to manifest early, as opposed to other pancreatic neoplasms that often are advanced at the time of diagnosis.

Curative surgical resection is the only option for long-term survival. Surgical or radiologic biliary decompression, relief of gastric outlet obstruction, and adequate pain control may improve the quality of life but do not affect overall survival rate.

Pathophysiology

Ninety percent of ampullary tumors are adenocarcinomas. Neuroendocrine tumors, cystadenomas, and adenomas represent additional, but uncommon, histologic types. Tumors originate from ductal epithelial cells and usually invade into the substance of the pancreas. In more advanced disease states, peripancreatic tissue and the adventitia of large neighboring vessels, such as the superior mesenteric and portal veins, may be involved.

Lymph nodes metastases are present in as many as half of patients. Pericanalicular lymph nodes usually are the first to be involved. Nodes along the superior mesenteric, gastroduodenal, common hepatic, and splenic arteries, as well as the celiac trunk, are the second station of lymph nodes. Perineural, vascular, and lymphatic invasion are associated with a poor prognosis. Liver is the most common site (66%) of distant metastasis, followed by lymph nodes (22%). In advanced cases, lung metastasis also may occur.

Frequency

United States

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is an uncommon tumor; fewer than 2000 cases are diagnosed per year. Ampullary cancer accounts for approximately 0.2% of all gastrointestinal tract malignancies and about 7% of all periampullary carcinomas. Adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is the second most common periampullary malignancy.

International

Worldwide incidence is not known.

Mortality/Morbidity

• Most of these tumors are resectable for cure at diagnosis; however, the 5-year survival rate is only 40%.
• Operative mortality rates have decreased significantly over the last decade because of increased surgical experience, improved anesthesia, better preoperative imaging, and better postoperative management.
• Pancreatic fistulas, prolonged gastric emptying, wound complications, intraabdominal sepsis, thrombophlebitis, and marginal ulceration are the most common complications.
• Postoperative mortality rates in the best centers are 2-5%.

Race

• No race predilection is seen.

Sex

• No sex predilection is seen.

Age

• Ampullary cancer most often is seen in the fifth through the seventh decades of life.

Clinical

History

• Jaundice
  • Jaundice is the presenting symptom in three fourths of cases. Ampullary cancer has no additional classic early symptoms.
  • Jaundice may intermittently wax and wane because of central necrosis and sloughing or pressure opening of a minimally obstructed duct.
• Other features
  • Pruritus
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dyspepsia and vomiting: These may be present if the duodenal lumen is compromised.
  • Progressive weight loss
  • Epigastric pain: The abdominal pain usually is dull, aching midepigastric pain or right hypochondriac pain. Backache is usually a sign of advanced stage.
  • Diarrhea may occur with this tumor  due to the absence of lipase within the gut related to pancreatic duct obstruction.
  • Hematemesis, melena, and hematochezia: These are uncommon features caused by tumor bleeding.

Physical

• The Courvoisier sign, painless jaundice associated with a palpable gallbladder, may be present. Unlike that due to a neoplasm, obstructive jaundice due to a stone causes scarring of the gallbladder, precluding its distension.
• Fever can occur in the setting of ascending cholangitis.
• Hepatomegaly can occur.
• Rarely, patients present with features of acute pancreatitis or migratory thrombophlebitis.
• Palpable fixed epigastric masses or supraclavicular nodes are signs of advanced disease and inoperability.

Causes

• The etiology of the disease is poorly understood.
  • Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have an increased risk of both benign and malignant ampullary tumors.¹
  • As many as 50-90% of patients with FAP develop duodenal adenomas, predominantly concentrated on or around the major papilla.²
  • Genomic anomalies may be a factor.³
  • K-ras mutations may be a factor.⁴

Differential Diagnoses

Other Problems to Be Considered

Duodenal carcinoma
Adenoma at the ampulla of Vater

Workup

Laboratory Studies

• Blood biochemistry
  • Test for anemia caused by bleeding from the ampullary mass.
  • Test for hyperbilirubinemia (conjugated type) due to blockage of the biliary outflow.
  • Test for a rise in alkaline phosphatase level, again due to blockage.
  • Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) rise in long-standing obstruction.
  • Fecal occult blood testing results may be positive in ulcerated or bleeding tumors.
  • In cases with complete obstruction and bleeding, the stool may be pale or silver white, so-called silver stools.
  • A rise in serum amylase is not uncommon.
  • Alteration in coagulation profile (eg, increased prothrombin time, decreased prothrombin time, prolonged bleeding and clotting times) is common.
• Urine chemistry
  • Urinalysis shows bile pigments.
  • Absence of urinary urobilinogen signifies complete obstruction.
• Tumor markers: Currently, no tumor marker is sensitive or specific enough to serve as reliable screening tools for this carcinoma.
  • Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is the most studied and sensitive marker for pancreatic neoplasms at present. Unfortunately, CA 19-9 has almost no value in management of carcinoma of ampulla of Vater.
  • Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), DU-PAN-2, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and pancreatic oncofetal antigen (POA) also have been evaluated and found inaccurate.

Imaging Studies

• Abdominal ultrasonography
  • Advantages
    • Abdominal ultrasonography (US) is the most useful noninvasive initial investigation for distinguishing medical from surgical causes of jaundice. It is an inexpensive and readily available bedside procedure.
    • Abdominal US can identify dilated ducts, liver metastasis (in almost 90% of cases), ascites, and nodal metastasis.
    • Doppler US can be used to assess vascular involvement.
    • The level of obstruction can be assessed in 90% patients.
    • US-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) can be performed.
  • Limitations
    • Effectiveness is related to the skill of the user.
    • Very superficial lesions and very deep lesions may be missed. Distinguishing a metastasis from a hemangioma may be difficult.
    • Sensitivity is 80-90%, and information is inferior to that obtained by CT scan or MRI. Poor bowel preparation may obscure the important pathology.
• Endoscopic and laparoscopic ultrasonography
  • Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is performed through a peroral route.
  • The test is highly sensitive in detecting major vascular involvement, which can prevent unnecessary surgery.⁵
  • EUS may identify tumors less than 1 cm in size.
  • Laparoscopic sonography can detect occult liver metastasis or peritoneal seeding missed by other imaging modalities.
  • Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography may be more specific and accurate in predicting tumor resectability than laparoscopy alone (88% and 89% vs 50% and 65%, respectively⁶ ).
• CT scanning
  • Advantages
    • This modality is most useful when US is equivocal or when visualization is obscured by gas or ascites.
    • CT scan is superior to US, with an accuracy of more than 90%. CT scan findings correlate well with operative findings.
    • CT scan is better in evaluating operability and preoperative staging. It gives better assessment of invasion or compression of vessels and adjacent organs.
    • CT-guided biopsy may be obtained.
  • Disadvantages
    • Very ill patients may be unable to lie still or arrest respiration for the long periods required for high-quality imaging.
    • CT scan is more expensive than US and requires expertise in interpretation.
    • Potential radiation hazards exist for patients and staff.
    • Rare contrast reactions may occur.
    • Metal, stents, and clips may cause artifacts.
    • Very small tumors (<1 cm) may be missed.
• Magnetic resonance imaging
  • MRI is the most informative noninvasive method of evaluation currently available.
  • MRI cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) provides 94% accuracy in identifying the cause and extent of the pathology.
  • Results are reproducible.
  • With growing expertise in the use of magnetic imaging, diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is quickly becoming obsolete.
• Radionucleotide scanning
  • The use of the hepatoiminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan has declined in recent years.
  • This scan is better used for assessing liver parenchyma lesions or for possible help in diagnosing Budd-Chiari syndrome.
  • Use requires a qualified doctor and expensive equipment.
• Chest x-ray is performed to exclude pulmonary metastasis and other pulmonary diseases.

Other Tests

• ECG is performed to assess cardiac status, since surgery will be considered as a means of treatment.
• Nutritional studies should be ordered in preparation for surgery.

Procedures

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  • Advantages
    • ERCP allows diagnostic and therapeutic access to both the common bile duct and pancreatic duct.
    • The procedure displays the details of ductal anatomy and accurately demonstrates the level and nature of the obstruction. Anatomical variations in ducts can be evaluated carefully.

Endoscopic view of an ampullary carcinoma.

• ERCP allows therapeutic procedures, such as sphincterotomy, stenting, and nasobiliary drainage.
• It permits sampling of pancreatic juice, bile, and brush/grasp biopsy.
• Endoscopic excision of small periampullary tumors is gaining in popularity.
• Disadvantages
  • ERCP is an invasive procedure that requires an expert endoscopist/radiologist and a cooperative patient.
  • Very small tumors (<1 cm) can be missed.
  • ERCP is not possible if access to the duodenal papilla is difficult to obtain because of diverticula, anatomical ductal variations, or prior surgical bypass.
  • This procedure can precipitate pancreatitis and cholangitis.
  • Perforation and hemorrhage are 2 of the more serious complications.
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
  • Indications for this procedure, which is highly invasive, are very limited.
  • Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) is most useful when ERCP is unavailable or technically not feasible.
  • PTC can be useful in severely jaundiced patients when laparotomy or ERCP is not possible. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or transhepatic stenting may be the only option for some patients.
  • Biliary leakage may lead to peritonitis. Excessive bleeding from the puncture site and pneumothorax represent significant, but uncommon, complications.

Histologic Findings

In cases of ampullary tumors, preoperative endoscopic biopsy should be attempted, and carcinoma should be confirmed histologically or cytologically, if possible. If the specimen is insufficient or not representative, or if the histologic examination is inconclusive, surgery may be performed if a clinical suspicion exists. Approximately 90% of these tumors are adenocarcinomas. Neuroendocrine tumors, cystadenomas, and adenomas represent additional uncommon histologic types.

Staging

The tumor, node, metastases (TNM) classification and stage grouping is based on the Union Internationale Contre Cancrum (UICC) system, established in 1977, with separate classifications for pancreatic and periampullary carcinomas. The staging is important only to communicate a uniform definition of extent of disease. TNM classification and stage groups are as follows:

• T - Primary tumor
• Tx - The primary tumor cannot be assessed
• T0 - No sign of primary tumor
• Tis - Carcinoma in situ
• T1 - Tumor limited to the ampulla or sphincter of Oddi
• T2 - Tumor invading the wall of the duodenum
• T3 - Tumor invasion into the pancreas 2 cm or less
• T4 - More than 2 cm tumor invasion into the pancreas or any other adjacent organ

Peripancreatic tissue includes the surrounding retroperitoneal fatty tissue (retroperitoneal soft tissue or retroperitoneal space), including the mesentery (mesenteric fat), mesocolon, greater and lesser omentum, and peritoneum. Direct invasion of the bile ducts and the duodenum includes involvement of the ampulla.

Adjacent large vessels include the portal vein, the celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery and the common hepatic artery and vein (not the splenic vessels).

• N - Regional lymph nodes
• NX - Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
• N0 - No regional lymph node metastases
• N1 - Regional lymph node metastases

Subclassification of the category N1 into N1a (only 1 metastatic lymph node) and N1b (2 or more lymph nodes affected by metastases) is recommended, as the 2 categories appear to have marked prognostic differences. Total number of peripancreatic lymph nodes found in the surgical specimen must be mentioned.

• M - Distant metastases
• MX - Distant metastases cannot be assessed
• M0 - No distant metastases
• M1 - Distant metastases

Note: The splenic lymph nodes and those at the tail of the pancreas are not regional; metastases in these lymph nodes are classified as distant metastases (M1).

• Stage grouping of periampullary carcinoma
• Stage 1 - T1 N0 M0
• Stage 2 - T2 N0 M0, T3 N0 M0
• Stage 3 - T1 N1 M0, T2 NI M0, T3 N1 M0
• Stage 4 - T4 every N and every M, every T and N with M1
• Martin proposed a 4-stage system, as follows:
• Stage I - Vegetating tumor limited to the epithelium, with no involvement of the Oddi sphincter
• Stage II - Tumor localized in the duodenal submucosa without involvement of the duodenal muscularis propria but possible involvement of the sphincter of Oddi
• Stage III - Tumor involving the duodenal muscularis propria
• Stage IV - Tumor involving the periduodenal area or the pancreas, with proximal or distal lymph node involvement

Treatment

Medical Care

Hepatic metastasis, serosal implants, ascites, lymph node involvement outside the resectional field, and major vessel infiltration all are contraindications to surgical resection. Treatment options for advanced or unresectable stages are discussed below.

• Willett and colleagues reported their experience with adjuvant radiotherapy (40-50 gray [Gy], with or without concurrent 5-fluorouracil as a radiosensitizer) for high-risk tumors of the ampulla of Vater. Compared to surgery alone, the radiotherapy group demonstrated a trend toward better locoregional control; however, no advantage in survival was seen.⁷
• Barton and Copeland reported on the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience of using postoperative chemotherapy for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. No combination of drugs prolonged life.⁸
• Yeung and colleagues used neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in 4 patients with duodenal/ampullary carcinomas. No residual tumor was found in pancreaticoduodenectomy specimens of these 4 patients.⁹
• Gemcitabine has shown promise in cases of advanced ampullary carcinoma. Combinations of drugs known to be effective in pancreatic cancer may be useful in carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. They may be used in first-line therapy. Agents that could be used with gemcitabine include cisplatin and capecitabine. 
• Fractionated high-dose external beam radiotherapy (60-70 Gy) yields local tumor control in 35-50% of cases. Care should be taken to protect healthy tissue while delivering this radiotherapy (ie, conformal RT or brachytherapy). Pain can be relieved in as many as 65% of patients treated with external beam radiotherapy.
• Intraoperative radiotherapy of the tumor bed with fast electrons and doses of 20 Gy is a promising alternative for achieving locoregional control. Combining intraoperative irradiation with postoperative percutaneous irradiation (total dose 70 Gy) may further increase the duration of median survival.
• Two prospective randomized studies performed by the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group (GITSG) demonstrated that combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy prolonged median duration of survival compared to that achieved with chemotherapy or irradiation alone.

Surgical Care

• Surgical resection in an ampullary carcinoma is the primary modality of treatment. The highest cure rates are achieved if the tumor is localized to the ampullary region.
• Laparotomy should be performed to assess resectability in all cases for which sonography, CT scan, and laparoscopy do not show disseminated disease.
• With improvement in postoperative management and surgical technique, operative mortality rates are as low as 3-5% in most centers with experienced staff.¹⁰
• Extensive preoperative assessment of cardiac, respiratory, renal, and cerebral functions should be performed in older patients.
• Overall survival rates are better for ampullary carcinoma than for other periampullary malignancies, because the former disease typically manifests symptoms early.
• Toh et al reported 25 patients (13 men, 12 women) with a median age of 65 years who had an ampullary tumor. The resectability rate was 88%, with no operative mortality. The 5-year actuarial survival rate of patients who underwent radical resection was 49%. They concluded that local resection is recommended only for small, benign tumors and for patients who may be unfit for radical surgery; otherwise, pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is safe and the most effective procedure.¹¹
• Preoperative details
  • Assessment of nutritional status and supplementation (Fortunately, most of these patients do not have any nutritional problems.)
  • Standard mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation
  • Assessment of coagulation profile and correction of decreased prothrombin time by administration of vitamin K
  • Intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis
  • Preoperative nasobiliary drainage or stenting for preoperative biliary decompression in severely jaundiced patient
  • Fluid and electrolyte correction
  • Assessment of cardiac, renal, and pulmonary status
• Intraoperative details
  • Laparoscopic assessment is obtained for peritoneal metastasis, hepatic metastases, and extensive lymphatic, vascular, or surrounding organ invasion.
  • Resectability of the primary tumor is determined by mobilizing the head of the pancreas (ie, kocherization), opening the lesser sac, and exposing and inspecting the confluence of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein. Invasion of the retropancreatic portal vein is not a universal contraindication, as this segment of portal vein may be resected en bloc and subsequent reanastomosis of the vein performed.

Kocherization of the duodenum. For ampullary malignancies greater than 1 cm in size, pancreaticoduodenectomy is the preferred operation. This figure demonstrates the process of kocherization of the duodenum. The second and third portions of the duodenum are mobilized en bloc with the periduodenal nodal tissue. The authors prefer to expose the inferior vena cava (IVC) and remove alveolar tissue, which lies above the IVC en bloc with the specimen.

• Intraoperatively, a transduodenal FNA or core biopsy is the preferred method for pathologic confirmation of the diagnosis. In about 10% of cases, these methods do not permit intraoperative confirmation of carcinoma. Resection should be performed in such cases based on preoperative and intraoperative findings.
• Resectability may be a subjective phenomenon based on the experience and skill of the surgeon.¹²
• A feeding jejunostomy may be performed during the procedure to permit early resumption of enteral feeding. This rarely is necessary, as most patients can resume an oral diet within 2-3 days.
• Pancreaticoduodenectomy
  • This is the classic and standard resection procedure for ampullary carcinoma.

Periampullary malignancy. Transected pancreas with head. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the preferred treatment for most periampullary tumors. This picture depicts transection of the pancreas at the pancreatic neck. This particular patient presented with a periampullary malignancy accompanied by jaundice and pancreatitis. A preoperative pancreatic stent (usually unnecessary) is seen within the pancreatic duct.

• In this operation, the pancreas is transected to the left of the portal vein, along with the uncinate process (in order to achieve lymph node dissection along the superior mesenteric artery). The lymph nodes along the common hepatic artery within the hepatoduodenal ligament and the precaval lymph nodes are removed. The gallbladder, along with the distal portion of the common bile duct and distal third of the stomach, is resected.
• Restoration of the gastrointestinal continuity is completed with pancreaticojejunostomy, hepaticojejunostomy, and gastrojejunostomy.

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Roux-en-Y reconstruction following completion of a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy.

• Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy
  • This preserves the entire pylorus, along with 1-2 cm of the first part of the duodenum. GI continuity is restored with a duodenojejunostomy.
  • This represents a more physiologically acceptable procedure, with similar survival rates. Postgastrectomy complications, such as dumping and marginal ulceration, are reduced. Delayed gastric emptying may be exacerbated.
  • Postprandial release of gastrin and secretin is nearly normal in patients who undergo this procedure.
• Transduodenal (laparoscopic or open) or endoscopic excision of ampullary tumors
  • Transduodenal excision is rarely indicated and is reserved for elderly patients, patients with significant comorbid conditions, and those with favorable tumors (generally <2 cm, polypoid).
  • This more limited resective technique is associated with compromised local control in many instances.
• Palliative surgery
  • Palliative surgery is reserved for unresectable tumors or for patients who are unfit for curative surgery.
  • The goal is to alleviate biliary obstruction, duodenal obstruction, or pain.
  • Either cholecystojejunostomy or hepaticojejunostomy bypass is performed. ERCP and stent placement can be done to palliate symptoms of jaundice in the inoperable cases.
  • Duodenal obstruction may require gastrojejunostomy. Prophylactic gastrojejunostomy should be done, even in a duodenum unobstructed at the time of laparotomy, because as many as one third of patients develop obstruction later. However, prophylactic gastrojejunostomy adds significant morbidity risk to the procedure.
  • Chemical splanchnicectomy, using either 6% phenol or 50% ethanol, can be performed intraoperatively. This procedure controls pain in 80% of patients.

Consultations

• A nutrition specialist for tailoring the diet, when needed
• Physiotherapist
• Physician in cases of postoperative fever, chest infection, or other problems

Diet

• Oral feeding usually can be started on the second postoperative day.
• The diet should be started with sips of water, which can be increased gradually over 48 hours to a liquid diet. Patients can have a semisolid diet by roughly the sixth day.
• Initially, the diet should be deficient in fat and protein.

Activity

• The patient should ambulate from the first postoperative day.
• Early ambulation and chest physiotherapy reduce morbidity.

Medication

Prophylactic and postoperative antibiotics are given according to hospital protocol.

Chemotherapeutic agents

Fluorouracil can be used as a radiosensitizer for high-risk tumors of the ampulla of Vater.

Fluorouracil (Adrucil)

Fluorinated pyrimidine antimetabolite that inhibits thymidylate synthase and interferes with RNA synthesis and function. Has some effect on DNA. Useful in symptom palliation for patients with progressive disease.

Dosing

Adult

500 mg/m² IV

Pediatric

Not established

Interactions

Increased risk of bleeding with anticoagulants, NSAIDs, platelet inhibitors, thrombolytic agents; other immunosuppressive agents may enhance bone marrow toxicity

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; bone marrow suppression; serious infection

Precautions

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Nausea, oral and GI ulcers, depression of immune system, and hematopoiesis failure (bone marrow suppression) may occur; adjust dose in renal impairment

Antibiotics

Initial empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover both aerobic and anaerobic gram-negative organisms.

Cefoxitin (Mefoxin)

Second-generation cephalosporin indicated for gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rod infections. Infections caused by cephalosporin- or penicillin-resistant gram-negative bacteria may respond to cefoxitin.
Any second-generation cephalosporin may be used instead of cefoxitin.

Dosing

Adult

Biliary stent present: 1 g IV preoperatively; continue until culture reported negative; if positive, adjust antibiotics on basis of culture sensitivity report
No biliary stent: 1 g IV preoperatively then 2 doses postoperatively

Pediatric

Not established

Interactions

Probenecid may increase effects aminoglycosides or furosemide may increase nephrotoxicity (closely monitor renal function)

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity

Precautions

Pregnancy

B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals

Precautions

Adjust dose in severe renal insufficiency (high doses may cause CNS toxicity); superinfections and promotion of nonsusceptible organisms may occur with prolonged use or repeated therapy

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

• Employ broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage for 24 hours.
• Continuous nasogastric aspiration usually is maintained for the first 24 hours.
• Oral feeding usually is started on the second postoperative day.
• Subcutaneous heparin and pneumatic compression stockings are used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Adequate blood replacement is necessary in cases of intraoperative blood loss.
• Early ambulation and chest physiotherapy reduce morbidity.
• Serum electrolytes, renal function, and liver function should be monitored.
• Abdominal drains can be removed after 3-5 days if no evidence of pancreatic fistulas exists.
• Tachycardia and tachypnea may at times be the earliest signs of a leak.

Further Outpatient Care

• Recurrent disease usually is not curable; therefore, follow-up is limited principally to detection and treatment of secondary consequences, such as reducing pain and managing evident or latent exocrine or endocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
• Sonography, CT scan of the upper abdomen, and liver function tests may be used to detect recurrence and manage complications. These examinations should not be carried out on a general basis, however, as early diagnosis of recurrent disease apparently offers no therapeutic benefit.

Deterrence/Prevention

• Those with FAP and their family members should be counseled about the possibility of acquiring ampullary carcinoma. As many as 50-90% of patients with FAP develop duodenal adenomas, concentrated predominantly on or around the major papilla.² Such patients should receive close endoscopic surveillance.

Complications

• Most complications that arise after conventional Whipple procedures are caused by dehiscence of the pancreatic anastomosis. Disruption of pancreatic anastomosis is at times a lethal complication.
• More than 40 reconstruction procedures are described in the literature to reduce the risk of pancreatic leak, including occlusion of the residual pancreas with Ethibloc or fibrin (as a means to avoid complications secondary to anastomosis) or temporary occlusion with a fibrin adhesive and subsequent anastomosis (in order to avoid 4-6 days of secretion and the risk of damage to the anastomosis).
• A dramatic reduction has been seen over the last decade in postoperative mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy. This can be attributed to growing surgical experience, improved anesthesia, better preoperative imaging, and better postoperative management.
• Major postoperative complications occur in 25-65% of patients, depending upon the expertise of the surgical staff.
• Pancreatic fistula, prolonged ileus, intraabdominal sepsis, thrombophlebitis, marginal ulceration, and gastrointestinal motility disorder all can manifest as complications of the surgery.
• Dumping syndrome is seen in patients in whom a significant part of the stomach has been removed.

Prognosis

• Most patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater die of recurrent disease. Treatment fails in nearly three fourths of patients with poor prognostic features.
• Survival duration after surgical resection is related to the extent of local invasion of the primary lesion, lymph node involvement, vascular invasion, perineural invasion, cellular differentiation, uninvolved surgical margins, and perioperative blood transfusion.
• el-Ghazzawy et al reviewed their experience from 1987-1991 with 123 patients who had ampullary cancer. In the group that underwent surgical resection, survival was not influenced independently by perineural invasion, microlymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, or tumor differentiation when the tumors were controlled for stage.¹⁵
• The surgical mortality rate following a Whipple operation or subtotal distal pancreatectomy ranges from 2-5% in centers with experienced staff.
• For ampullary carcinoma, the 5-year survival rate ranges from 30-50%, depending on the center and the extent of lymph node dissection. When tumor diameter is less than 2 cm (ie, early carcinoma), survival rates are 30% in patients with lymph node involvement and as high as 50% in patients without lymph node involvement.

Patient Education

• Those with FAP, and their family members, should be counseled about the possibility of acquiring ampullary carcinoma.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

• Failure to counsel FAP patients and their families regarding the possibility of acquiring ampullary carcinoma

Multimedia

Media file 1: Endoscopic view of an ampullary carcinoma.

Media file 2: Kocherization of the duodenum. For ampullary malignancies greater than 1 cm in size, pancreaticoduodenectomy is the preferred operation. This figure demonstrates the process of kocherization of the duodenum. The second and third portions of the duodenum are mobilized en bloc with the periduodenal nodal tissue. The authors prefer to expose the inferior vena cava (IVC) and remove alveolar tissue, which lies above the IVC en bloc with the specimen.

Media file 3: Periampullary malignancy. Transected pancreas with head. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the preferred treatment for most periampullary tumors. This picture depicts transection of the pancreas at the pancreatic neck. This particular patient presented with a periampullary malignancy accompanied by jaundice and pancreatitis. A preoperative pancreatic stent (usually unnecessary) is seen within the pancreatic duct.

Media file 4: Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Roux-en-Y reconstruction following completion of a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Media file 5: Double duct sign of periampullary cancers. Note the dilated common bile duct as well as the pancreatic duct. Liver metastatic lesion is also seen.

Media file 6: Distended gall bladder with double duct sign in a patient with periampullary cancer.

References

1. Burke CA, Beck GJ, Church JM, et al. The natural history of untreated duodenal and ampullary adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis followed in an endoscopic surveillance program. Gastrointest Endosc. Mar 1999;49(3 Pt 1):358-64. [Medline].

2. Griffioen G, Bus PJ, Vasen HF, et al. Extracolonic manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis: desmoid tumours, and upper gastrointestinal adenomas and carcinomas. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1998;225:85-91. [Medline].

3. Scarpa A, Zamboni G. Genomic anomalies in pancreatic tumors other than common adenocarcinoma. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Jun 30 1999;880:179-90. [Medline].

4. Berndt C, Haubold K, Wenger F, et al. K-ras mutations in stools and tissue samples from patients with malignant and nonmalignant pancreatic diseases. Clin Chem. Oct 1998;44(10):2103-7. [Medline].

5. Menzel J, Hoepffner N, Sulkowski U, et al. Polypoid tumors of the major duodenal papilla: preoperative staging with intraductal US, EUS, and CT--a prospective, histopathologically controlled study. Gastrointest Endosc. Mar 1999;49(3 Pt 1):349-57. [Medline].

6. John TG, Greig JD, Carter DC, Garden OJ. Carcinoma of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Tumor staging with laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography. Ann Surg. Feb 1995;221(2):156-64. [Medline].

7. Willett CG, Warshaw AL, Convery K, et al. Patterns of failure after pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma. Surg Gynecol Obstet. Jan 1993;176(1):33-8. [Medline].

8. Barton RM, Copeland EM 3rd. Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Surg Gynecol Obstet. Mar 1983;156(3):297-301. [Medline].

9. Yeung RS, Weese JL, Hoffman JP, et al. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation in pancreatic and duodenal carcinoma. A Phase II Study. Cancer. Oct 1 1993;72(7):2124-33. [Medline].

10. Wagle PK, Joshi RM, Mathur SK. Pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary carcinoma. Indian J Gastroenterol. Mar-Apr 2001;20(2):53-5. [Medline].

11. Toh SK, Davies N, Dolan P, et al. Good outcome from surgery for ampullary tumour. Aust N Z J Surg. Mar 1999;69(3):195-8. [Medline].

12. Sohn TA, Lillemoe KD, Cameron JL, et al. Reexploration for periampullary carcinoma: resectability, perioperative results, pathology, and long-term outcome. Ann Surg. Mar 1999;229(3):393-400. [Medline].

13. AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. Exocrine pancreas. In: American Joint Committee on Cancer Manual. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott-Raven;1997:121-6.

14. Conlon KC. Carcinoma of the ampulla of vater: a distinct disease entity?. Ann Surg Oncol. Dec 2003;10(10):1136-7. [Medline].

15. el-Ghazzawy AG, Wade TP, Virgo KS, et al. Recent experience with cancer of the ampulla of Vater in a national hospital group. Am Surg. Jul 1995;61(7):607-11. [Medline].

16. Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group. Further evidence of effective adjuvant combined radiation and chemotherapy following curative resection of pancreatic cancer. Cancer. Jun 15 1987;59(12):2006-10. [Medline].

17. Hartenfels IM, Dukat A, Burg J, Hansen M, Jung M. [Adenomas of Vater's ampulla and of the duodenum. Presentation of diagnosis and therapy by endoscopic interventional and surgical methods]. Chirurg. Mar 2002;73(3):235-40. [Medline].

18. Kennedy EP, Yeo CJ. Pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for periampullary adenocarcinoma. Surg Oncol Clin N Am. Jan 2007;16(1):157-76. [Medline].

19. Martin ED. Anatomopathologie des tumeurs oddiennes. In: Les tumeurs oddiennes. 1978:35-52.

20. Paraskevas KI, Avgerinos C, Manes C, Lytras D, Dervenis C. Delayed gastric emptying is associated with pylorus-preserving but not classical Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy: a review of the literature and critical reappraisal of the implicated pathomechanism. World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7 2006;12(37):5951-8. [Medline].

21. Park JS, Yoon DS, Kim KS, Choi JS, Lee WJ, Chi HS. Factors influencing recurrence after curative resection for ampulla of Vater carcinoma. J Surg Oncol. Mar 15 2007;95(4):286-90. [Medline].

22. Rosen M, Zuccaro G, Brody F. Laparoscopic resection of a periampullary villous adenoma. Surg Endosc. Aug 2003;17(8):1322-3. [Medline].

23. Sarmiento JM, Nagomey DM, Sarr MG, Farnell MB. Periampullary cancers: are there differences?. Surg Clin North Am. Jun 2001;81(3):543-55. [Medline].

24. Sarr MG, Cameron JL. Surgical palliation of unresectable carcinoma of the pancreas. World J Surg. Dec 1984;8(6):906-18. [Medline].

25. Todoroki T, Koike N, Morishita Y, et al. Patterns and predictors of failure after curative resections of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Ann Surg Oncol. Dec 2003;10(10):1176-83. [Medline].

26. Van Heek NT, De Castro SM, van Eijck CH, et al. The need for a prophylactic gastrojejunostomy for unresectable periampullary cancer: a prospective randomized multicenter trial with special focus on assessment of quality of life. Ann Surg. Dec 2003;238(6):894-902; discussion 902-5. [Medline].

Keywords

periampullary carcinoma, periampullary malignancy, ampullary carcinoma, ampullary cancer, ampullary cancer treatment, ampullary cancer diagnosis, ampullary cancer symptoms, ampullary cancer pictures, carcinoma of papilla of Vater, adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, cystadenomas, adenomas, adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, Courvoisier sign, familial adenomatous polyposis, FAP, duodenal adenomas, endoscopic ultrasonography, EUS, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, ERCP, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, PTC, kocherization, pancreaticoduodenectomy, pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, transduodenal excision

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Nafisa K Kuwajerwala, MD, Staff Surgeon, Breast Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital
Nafisa K Kuwajerwala, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Pankaj Chaturvedi, MBBS, MS, Associate Professor, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, India
Pankaj Chaturvedi, MBBS, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science and Association of Surgeons of India
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ronald S Chamberlain, MD, Chairman, Chief, Department of Surgery, Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Ronald S Chamberlain, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and Society of Surgical Oncology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Venkata Subramanian Kanthimathinathan, MD, Staff Physician, Department of General Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Uma Chaturvedi, MD, MBBS, DPB, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, KJ Somaiya Hospital and Research Center, India
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Gunateet Goswami, MD, Consulting Staff, Internal Medicine Associates, Mount Clemens, Michigan; Consulting Staff, Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital
Gunateet Goswami, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society of Echocardiography, and Michigan State Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Michael Perry, MD, MS, MACP, Nellie B Smith Chair of Oncology Emeritus, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Missouri /Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Michael Perry, MD, MS, MACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for Cancer Research, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and Missouri State Medical Association
Disclosure: Bionumerik Consulting fee Consulting; Proactya Consulting fee Consulting; GSK Consulting fee Consulting; NovoNordisk Consulting fee Consulting; Amgen Honoraria Speaking and teaching; GSK Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Benjamin Movsas, MD, Vice-Chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Benjamin Movsas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology, American Radium Society, and American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP, Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Southwest Medical Consultants, SC, Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Health Systems
Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jules E Harris, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine at Tucson; Consulting Staff, Arizona Cancer Center
Jules E Harris, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American Society of Hematology, and Central Society for Clinical Research
Disclosure: GlobeImmune Salary Consulting; Amplimed Consulting fee Consulting

© 1994- by Medscape.
All Rights Reserved
(http://www.medscape.com/public/copyright)