Ampullary and Periampullary Cancers Treated at Karmanos

Treatment of Ampullary and Periampullary Cancers

What are Ampullary and Periampullary Cancers?

Ampullary cancer is when cancer (malignant) cells start to grow within the ampulla of Vater. The ampulla of Vater is a small, flask-shaped reservoir in the digestive system where the pancreatic and bile ducts meet and empty into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Cancers near the ampulla of Vater are called periampullary cancer. Periampullary cancers originate about or around other parts of the digestive tract, including the bile duct, pancreas and small intestine. The main difference between ampullary and periampullary cancers is their location.

The most common symptom of ampullary cancer is jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and eyes. This occurs because of the tumor blocking the bile duct from emptying its contents resulting in a back up into the bloodstream causing jaundice. Constituting as a rare cancer, ampullary cancer accounts for only 0.2% of all cancers affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

What are the Risk Factors for Ampullary and Periampullary Cancer?

Risk factors for ampullary and periampullary cancer include the following:

• Being over the age of 70.
• Being assigned male at birth.
• Inherited syndromes, particularly: familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Lynch syndrome and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

How do You Screen for Ampullary and Periampullary Cancer?

Although there is no standard screening for the general population, however, those with above mentioned inherited syndromes that increase the risk of this cancer may get screening upper endoscopy, CT scan, MRI or ultrasound periodically as indicated by their gastrointestinal doctor.

If we see any tumor/mass on the ampulla then a biopsy is obtained to confirm the diagnosis.

What are the signs of ampullary and periampullary cancer?

Signs of ampullary and periampullary cancers include:

• Jaundice (the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes).
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Nausea, vomiting and unexplained weight loss.
• Loss of appetite.
• Abdominal and back pain.
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
• Digestive tract bleeding.
• Severe itching.
• Stools that appear greasy or pale.

What are treatment options for Ampullary and Periampullary cancer?

There are different treatment types for patients with ampullary and periampullary cancers including endoscopic surgery, Whipple’s procedure, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy if indicated.

Information includes about ampullary and periampullary cancers, causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.