A case of hepatectomy for liver metastasis after pancreatoduodenectomy for carcinoma of ampulla of Vater]

After curative resection of carcinoma of ampulla of Vater, 5-year survival rate has been reported ranging from 40% to 60%. Two major causes of the treatment failure are local recurrence and liver metastasis. Liver metastases are often multiple and are associated with poor prognosis. There have been few reports on long-term survivors after hepatectomy for metastatic liver tumors from carcinoma of ampulla of Vater. We report a 42 year-old female patient with solitary hepatic metastasis from carcinoma of ampulla of Vater, which was successfully treated by hepatectomy 69 months after curative Whipple's operation. Histologic examination of the resected specimen had revealed stage IB moderately-differentiated, intestinal type adenocarcinoma (T2N0M0). Since neither local recurrence or distant metastasis were detected, the patient underwent liver segmentectomy. Histologic study confirmed the presence of metastatic liver tumor from carcinoma of ampulla of Vater. She is doing well without evidence of recurrence at 20 months after hepatectomy.     

Long-term results of surgical treatment of Vater's ampulla neoplasms

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vater's ampulla neoplasms account for 30% of resected bilio-pancreatic confluent tumors. Study aim was to review long-term results of surgical treatment for ampullary neoplasms. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review from 1993 to 2002 identified 55 patients admitted for Vater's ampulla neoplasm in our institution. Follow-up was complete for all cases with a median follow-up of 24 (range 2-180) months. RESULTS: Among the ampullary neoplasms, 10 were adenomas (median age 71) and 45 adenocarcinomas (median age 69). Of the adenomas 60% were treated surgically with excellent long-term results. The resectability rate of ampullary carcinomas was 84%. 34 patients had pancreaticoduodenectomy and 4 ampullectomy. Importantly, the rate of false-negative preoperative biopsies was 45%. Seven patients were treated by stenting or derivation due to poor condition. Actuarial five-year survival rate after pancreatoduodenectomy was 68% (median follow-up 24 months), compared to 0% for other approaches (p < 0.01). After pancreatoduodenectomy, the lymph node status influenced survival, while disease-free survival at 5 years was 85% for NO and 27% for N1 (p < 0.001). Among the pancreatoduodenectomies, 55% consisted of pylorus-preserving procedure which did not influence prognosis compared to absence of pylorus preservation. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatoduodenectomy remains the gold standard for Vater's ampulla neoplasms resection due to the low sensitivity of diagnostic biopsies for carcinoma detection. Vater's ampulla neoplasms resection by pancreatoduodenectomy is associated with good long-term results; however survival after curative resection is influenced by lymph node status.     

Carcinoid of the ampulla of Vater

Endocrine neoplasms only rarely occur at the ampulla of Vater, comprising mostly carcinoids and malignant carcinoids, as well as few cases of poorly differentiated endocrine carcinomas (small cell carcinomas). Only 105 cases are reported in the literature, most as single case reports. For many years, the neoplasms of the disseminated neuroendocrine cell system of the gastrointestinal tract have been subsumed as 'carcinoids'. Instead, in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) classification published in 2000, it is recommended to distinguish between (i) well-differentiated endocrine tumors (carcinoids); (ii) well-differentiated endocrine carcinomas (malignant carcinoids); and (iii) poorly differentiated endocrine carcinomas (small cell carcinomas). Patients with carcinoid tumors of the ampulla of Vater are very often free of clinical and laboratory findings that belong to the carcinoid syndrome. Approximately 26% of all patients with carcinoid tumor reported in the literature had neurofibromatosis. Besides endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endosonography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may complete the staging approach of this tumor. The Kausch-Whipple procedure or pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is considered the treatment of choice for ampullary, well-differentiated carcinoids >2.0 cm and for ampullary neuroendocrine carcinomas. However, it should be considered that long-term survival of patients with ampullary carcinoids is also reported after local tumor excision (5-year survival rate of 90%). The dilemma is that the differentiation of neuroendocrine tumors cannot be assessed intraoperatively in most cases. Therefore, considering that the 5-year survival rate in patients with neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater is very low without radical resection, neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater without definite histological differentiation should undergo extended surgery.     

Cephalic duodenopancreatectomy for endocrine tumor of the ampulla of Vater and of the minor papilla]

OBJECTIVES: Endocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater and minor papilla are rare. This study describes the mode of presentation and evaluates the correlation between pathological features and prognosis. PATIENTS: Between 1982 and 1998, 6 patients (3 M, 3 F, mean age: 47.6 years, range: 36-58) for whom a diagnosis of endocrine tumor of the ampulla of Vater or minor papilla was made between 1982 and 1998 after histological examination of an operative specimen of pancreaticoduodenectomy. RESULTS: One patient was detected incidentally, two had a Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, two had pain and one had obstructive jaundice with pain. The tumor was located in the ampulla of Vater in 5 cases and at the minor papilla in 1 case. All patients underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, with histological examination showing tumor diameter varying from 5 to 40 mm and positive lymph nodes. Five patients had a well differentiated endocrine tumor and one a poorly differentiated tumor. All patients had positive Grimelius staining. The secretory profile analyzed by immunohistochemistry was heterogeneous. Median duration of follow-up was 51 months (range: 6 months-16 years) with all patients currently still alive. The patient with a poorly differentiated tumor had diffuse liver metastases, the others were disease-free. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the frequency of metastatic spread to adjacent lymph nodes and the inconsistent secretory profiles of these tumors. Pancreaticoduodenectomy may offer long term disease-free survival in well differentiated tumors, and such histology may be useful in advising on prognosis.     

Trends in incidence and management of cancer of the ampulla of Vater

AIM:To provide trends in incidence,management and survival of cancer of the ampulla of Vater in a welldefined French population.METHODS:Data were obtained from the populationbased digestive cancer registry of Burgundy over a34-year period.Age-standardized incidence rates were computed using the world standard population.Average annual variations in incidence rates were estimated using a poisson regression.A univariate and multivariate relative survival analysis was performed.RESULTS:Age-standardized incidence rates were0.46 and 0.30 per 100000 inhabitants for men and women,respectively.Incidence rate increased from0.26(1976-1984)to 0.58(2003-2009)for men and remained stable for women.Resection for cure was performed in 48.3%of cases.This proportion was stable over the study period.Among cases with curative resection,pancreatico-duodenectomy was performed in94.0%of cases and ampullectomy in 6.0%of cases.A total of 50.8%of cancers of the ampulla of Vater were diagnosed at an advanced stage.Their proportion remained stable throughout the study period.The overall1-and 5-year relative survival rates were 60.2%and27.7%,respectively.Relative survival did not vary over time.Treatment and stage at diagnosis were the most important determinants of survival.The 5-year relative survival rate was 41.5%after resection for cure,9.5%after palliative surgery and 6.7%after symptomatic treatment.In multivariate analysis,only stage at diagnosis significantly influenced the risk of death.CONCLUSION:Cancer of the ampulla of Vater is still uncommon,but its incidence increased for men in Burgundy.Diagnosis is often made at an advanced stage,dramatically worsening the prognosis.     

Paraganglioma of the ampulla of Vater: a potentially malignant neoplasm

Paragangliomas are rare tumours originating from neuroectodermic remnants and are usually considered as benign. We present two cases of paraganglioma of the ampulla of Vater that were treated surgically by pancreaticoduodenectomy. In one case, histopathology revealed malignant characteristics of the tumour with invasion of the pancreas and simultaneous duodenal lymph-node metastases. Both patients had a favourable outcome without disease recurrence at 40 and 44 months postoperatively. Only 21 cases of ampullary paraganglioma have been reported in the literature, 7 of them with malignant characteristics. In conclusion, paragangliomas of the ampulla of Vater have malignant potential. Surgical therapy of these tumours should not be limited to local resection, as disease recurrence and lymph node involvement have been reported. We propose that paragangliomas of the ampulla of Vater should be operated by cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy, which allows long-term and disease-free survival.     

Long-term results of radical resection for locally advanced duodenal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Duodenal adenocarcinomas are uncommon tumors characterized by non-specific symptoms and late diagnosis. The objective of this study was to assess long-term results of locally advanced duodenal adenocarcinoma treated by surgical resection. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study, over a 10-year period, identified 9 patients (mean age 65 years) treated for duodenal carcinoma. RESULTS: Out of nine patients who were treated for duodenal adenocarcinoma, 8 underwent R0 resection (5 pancreaticoduodenectomies, 1 total pancreaticoduodenectomy and 2 segmental duodenal resections). All of them had tumor of stage II or III according to TNM classification. Median follow-up was 104 months (range 25 to 185). Five patients had lymph node metastases (stage III) at the time of surgery. Two- and five-year survival rates were 100% and 75%, respectively for the whole group. No correlation between lymph node status and survival was found. CONCLUSIONS: Radical surgical resection for locally advanced duodenal adenocarcinomas provides good long-term results in terms of patient survival, even for N1 tumors (stage III).     

Surgical treatment for carcinoma of the papilla of vater

Eighty of 89 patients who underwent radical resection (resectability 89.9%) for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater between 1976 and 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-three patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 7 underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). The postoperative mortality rate was only 3.8% (3 patients). The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 63.6% and 57.4%, respectively. Important factors influencing long-term survival were Stage (clinical stage = Stage), microscopic lymph node metastasis (n), duodenal wall invasion (d), vascular invasion (v), and the epithelium of origin. Early carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is defined as tumor in which invasion is limited within the papilla of Vater; in particular, carcinomatous invasion is within the muscle of Oddi (d₀) with n₀. PD and/or PPPD with radical lymph node dissection should be performed for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater, as these procedures can be performed with low morbidity and mortality.     

Prognostic Value of the Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio in Patients With Resectable Carcinoma of Ampulla of Vater

Patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (CAV) have better outcomes among periampullary malignancies. However, little is known about the metastatic lymph node ratio (LNR) as a prognostic factor for resectable CAV. We retrospectively reviewed our CAV patients undergoing curative surgery and analyzed their prognostic factors.A total of 212 CAV patients who received radical surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, between 2000 and 2010 were admitted in this study. The lymph node ratio was defined as the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) divided by the total number of LNs removed. The patients’ demographic data, comorbidities, operation type, and tumor features were analyzed retrospectively for survival prediction of patients.The median age of the patients was 62 years, and 57% of the patients were men. The surgical procedure was standard pancreaticoduodenectomy and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in 53% and 47% of the patients, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 32.6 months, and 50% of the patients had died by the end of the study. The median overall survival time (OS) and disease-free survival time (DFS) were 65.8 and 33.7 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients with a metastatic LNR >0.056 had a significantly poor prognosis in both OS and DFS.A metastatic LNR >0.056 predicted a poor DFS and OS in CAV patients after radical surgery. Greater awareness on the impact of metastatic LNR may help clinicians provide appropriate adjuvant treatment for high-risk CAV patients.     

Ampullary carcinoma: prognostic significance of ploidy, cell-cycle analysis and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present study is to assess the nuclear DNA ploidy patterns, the fraction of cells in the various phases of the cell cycle as determined by flow cytometry and to evaluate Proliferative cell-nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in order to examine the relationships between phase-two molecular factors, clinicopathological aspects and outcome of patients with cancers of the ampulla of Vater. METHODOLOGY: Paraffin-embedded specimens from 18 cases of cancers of ampulla of Vater radically resected between 1985 and 1995 were analyzed by flow-cytometry and immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody to the PCNA. The relationships between cell-proliferation kinetics, PCNA-positive cancer cells, clinicopathological findings and the clinical course were evaluated. RESULTS: Pathologist reports documented 17 papillary adenocarcinomas and one case of mucinous carcinoma. According to the TNM classification, 4 patients were in stage I, 7 in stage II and 7 in stage III. Locally advanced ampullary tumors (T3-T4) had a significantly worse prognosis (p = 0.01); survival at 3 and 5 years for stage I-II patients (11 cases) was 90% and 79% as compared to 42% and 42% for patients with stage III (8 cases), respectively (p = n.s.). Thirteen cancers (72%) were diploid and 5 (28%) aneuploid. Patients with aneuploid tumors were younger (mean age: 59 years) than patients with diploid tumors (mean age: 66 years; p = 0.04). No significant correlation was found between size of the tumor (T), lymphnodal status (N), grading (G) or aneuploidy. Difference in terms of survival between aneuploid and diploid patients was relevant (16 vs. 121 months) but, due to the small number of cases, was not statistically significant (p = n.s). The mean value of S-phase fraction (SPF) was 14.8%. PCNA positive rate significantly correlates with size of the tumor (T1-T2 vs. T3-T4; p = 0.03). Actuarial overall survival resulted in 70%, 63% and 31% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. The high rate of diploidy (72%) supports the relative benign behavior of ampullary cancers. CONCLUSIONS: PCNA positive rate significantly correlates with size of the disease. Aneuploidy, although without significant prognostic value, correlates well with survival. Because of the wide range of all variables, more data are needed to establish the relationships between pathological factors, DNA ploidy and PCNA rate and their significance as molecular predictors of prognosis in ampulla of Vater cancers.     

Role of EUS in the management of pancreatic and ampullary carcinoma: a prospective study assessing resectability and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is highly accurate for the staging of tumors, but its role in the management of periampullary carcinoma is still being defined. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with pancreatic (n = 73) or ampullary (n = 6) carcinoma underwent prospective evaluation by means of assessment of resectability and survival according to the following three-step staging algorithm: (1) ultrasonography and computed tomography; (2) if tumor appears resectable, EUS; (3) if criteria of resectability are found at EUS, laparotomy for curative resection. RESULTS: The first step of the algorithm helped predict unresectability of tumors and need for palliative treatment for 36 patients. Among the other 43 patients EUS revealed signs of unresectability in 20 additional patients who then underwent palliative surgical or medical treatment (median survival time 7 to 8 months). Twenty-three carcinomas were considered resectable according to EUS findings: Palliative surgery was performed in 9 cases (survival time 6 months), and 14 tumors could be resected in a curative way with a median survival period of 15 (pancreatic) to 16 months (ampullary). In evaluation of resectability, EUS had a 50% sensitivity (positive examination), 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 61% negative predictive value, and 72% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is accurate for evaluating resectability of ampullary and pancreatic cancer. EUS staging can prevent unnecessary surgery, and the findings correlate well with prognosis. The management of ampullary and pancreatic cancer could be improved with EUS.     

Is the follow-up of patients operated on for gastric carcinoma of benefit to the patient?

In patients operated on for gastric carcinoma, the main purpose of a follow-up program is to diagnose recurrent disease and initiate treatment at an early stage. One hundred and ninety-seven consecutive patients were studied, 43 of whom had not received a resection (27%). Resections were carried out in 144 patients, in either palliative (N = 20), or curative (N = 122) intent. The follow-up program included visits to the outpatient clinic at one month, six months, one year, and every year during the five post-operative years. Shorter intervals were employed as indicated by the functional or general status of the patients. One patient has been lost to follow-up. In palliative surgery, median survival was 3 months in patients undergoing laparotomy, 6 months following palliative surgery without resection, and 8 months following palliative resection. In patients who underwent curative resection, 65 are still alive without recurrent disease (57%). Thirty-six of them have been followed-up for more than 5 years. Seven patients died without recurrence. Of 42 patients with recurrence, 10 underwent a reoperation. The only resection was performed for liver metastasis. This patient died 14 months later. Survival in the 9 other patients did not exceed 6 months. This experience suggests that a follow-up program of patients operated on for gastric carcinoma is disappointing.     

Peritoneal recurrence of ampullary carcinoma following curative pancreatoduodenectomy

A 72 year-old Japanese man with peritoneal recurrence of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater after curative pancreatoduodenectomy is presented. He was treated by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for obstructive jaundice. The PTBD catheter dislodged 14 days later. He underwent emergency open peritoneal lavage and external choledochal drainage for diffuse bile peritonitis. Cytologic examination of bile obtained from the T-tube revealed malignant cells. He underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with regional lymph node dissection 2 months later for ampullary carcinoma. Pathologic examination showed a macroscopic protruding, 8 x 7 x 10 mm, papillary adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The tumor was classified as stage II with pT2, pN0, and pM0. Eight months later, cytologic examination of ascites demonstrated adenocarcinoma cells. The patient died with peritoneal recurrence 10 months after curative pancreatoduodenectomy.     

Focal early stage cancer in ampullary adenoma: surgery or endoscopic papillectomy?

BACKGROUND: Recently, the evidence has been accumulating that endoscopic resection may be curative in treating ampullary adenoma that contains high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia/in situ tumor (HGIN/Tis). However, there are only anecdotal reports of endoscopic management of "focal" T1 ampullary cancer (T1 cancer), and radical surgery is still considered the only accepted treatment modality. OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of endoscopic papillectomy as an alternative to radical surgery for the treatment of ampullary adenoma with HGIN/Tis or focal T1 cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of case series of our hospital from 1996 to 2006. SETTING: Tertiary-care university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-three patients who had HGIN/Tis or focal T1 cancer in ampullary adenoma resected by endoscopic papillectomy and 60 patients who initially underwent radical surgery for HGIN/Tis or T1 cancer of the ampulla of Vater. "Focal" was defined as a lesion involving only mucosa, with a size less than a fourth the diameter of main adenoma. INTERVENTIONS: Review of medical records and analysis of surgically or endoscopically resected specimens of ampullary tumors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Locoregional extension and follow-up data. RESULTS: Patients with HGIN/Tis of the ampulla of Vater had no lymphovascular invasion or lymph-node metastasis, and there were no occurrences of cancer or deaths during a mean (standard error [+/-SE]) 27.1 +/- 5.9 months after endoscopic papillectomy. T1 cancer was shown to have lymphovascular invasion and/or lymph-node metastasis in 10.7% and duct mucosal involvement in another 17.9%. Among them, patients with focal T1 cancer showed no lymphovascular invasion or lymph-node metastasis and no ductal involvement, and none of the patients who underwent endoscopic papillectomy alone had cancer recurrence or disease-related death for mean (+/-SE) 32.2 +/- 6.7 months. LIMITATIONS: Single-center, retrospective study, small number of patients, and medium-term follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic papillectomy may be a curative treatment for ampullary adenoma with HGIN/Tis and should also be considered as an alternative to surgery in focal T1 cancer in ampullary adenoma.     

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater are extremely rare, and few cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the ampulla have been reported. METHODS: A 48-year-old male with obstructive jaundice was admitted to our hospital. On examination the patient was found to have a periampullary growth and subsequently underwent the Whipple's procedure. RESULTS: Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry revealed features of LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater. The patient developed multiple liver metastases 6 months after Whipple's procedure. CONCLUSION: LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater is rare and highly aggressive, with a dismal prognosis.     

Clinicopathological characteristics of biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms: a multicenter study

Objectives: This study assessed the clinicopathological features, therapeutic approaches, and prognosis of patients with biliary neuroendocrine neoplasm (NENs).

Materials and methods: Multicenter retrospective study of patients with biliary tract NENs in the gallbladder, the extrahepatic bile duct, or the ampulla of Vater between 2005 and 2014.

Results: Total of 43 patients were included in the study. The median age was 62 years (range: 29–84 years) and 58.1% of the patients were male. The tumors occurred in the gallbladder (n?=?11), the extrahepatic bile duct (n?=?5) or the ampulla of Vater (n?=?27). The liver was the most common metastatic site. Based on the 2010 World Health Organization classification, more patients with gallbladder NENs (11/11 (100%)) had neuroendocrine carcinoma G3 than those with NENs in the ampulla of Vater (10/27 (37.1%)). The median progression free survival time (39.3 vs 5.1 months, p?=?0.001) and median overall survival time (46.9 vs 7.9 months, p?<?0.001) were significantly longer in patients with ampulla of Vater NENs than gallbladder NENs. A 2010 World Health Organization classification of neuroendocrine carcinoma G3 was independently related to poor overall survival (hazard ratio (HR), 27.1; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 2.81-260.68; p?=?0.004).

Conclusion: The 2010 World Health Organization classification of neuroendocrine carcinoma G3 was the only factor related to poor prognosis in patients with biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms.     

The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of ampulla of Vater carcinoma: the intestinal type is associated with a better prognosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We wanted to compare the clinicopathological parameters with the immunohistochemical expression patterns and patient survival for the intestinal type (IT) and the pancreatobiliary type (PT) of ampulla of Vater carcinoma. Ampulla of Vater carcinoma can be classified histologically into either IT or PT. The biologic behavior and patient prognosis vary considerably in relation to the tumor type. METHODOLOGY: From September, 1995, to February, 2004, 34 patients with the pathologic diagnosis of ampulla of Vater carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed and the prognostic factors were analyzed. To classify the phenotypes of the tumors, the keratin types (CK7 and CK20), the type of apomucin of the mucosa (MUC2), and the glucose transporter (GLUT1) were studied for differentiating the tumor types. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate of the 34 patients with ampulla of Vater carcinoma was 58.8%. Histologically, 12 patients had IT and 22 had PT, and the IT patients all survived. The long-term survival after resection of the tumor was significantly greater for the patients with IT than for the patients with PT. Although these differences were not statistically significant, the prognosis of IT group seemed more favorable (p = 0.0955). On the immunohistochemical staining, MUC2 (p < 0.0001), CK20 (p = 0.0002) and CK7 (p = 0.0368) were statistically effective, but not GLUT1, for differentiating IT from PT. CONCLUSIONS: For the classification of the tumor phenotypes, performing immunohistochemical staining were helpful to differentiate the two types of tumor. A study with a larger number samples would probably elucidate the different clinical course between these two types of ampulla of Vater carcinoma.     

Second surgery after a pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with periampullary malignancies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few case reports have previously documented a second surgery after pancreaticoduodenectomy due to recurrence or other reasons in patients with periampullary malignancies. The present report summarized the experience of this clinic with secondary surgery after Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODOLOGY: During the past 7 years, 7 out of 95 patients with periampullary malignancies underwent a second surgery after pancreaticoduodenectomy at this institution. The clinical courses of these patients are presented and 2 interesting cases are shown in the present study. RESULTS: One patient with lower bile duct adenocarcinoma underwent a remnant splenopancreatectomy due to pancreatic recurrence 36 months after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The other patient with lower bile duct adenocarcinoma underwent a hepatectomy due to a solitary liver metastasis 47 months after a pancreaticoduodenectomy. These 2 patients have survived 4 and 13 months after the second surgery. In the 7 patients requiring secondary surgery, 5 underwent the procedure due to recurrent disease, and 4 of the 5 received the second surgery to remove the lesion. The mean interval between pancreaticoduodenectomy and the second operation was 32 months in the 5 patients with recurrent disease and 27 months in the all 7 patients. One of the 5 patients died of recurrent disease only 5 months after the second procedure because the surgery was a palliative bypass. However, the other 3 survived more than 1 year after the resection of the lesion at the recurrent site. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reports 2 rare cases with lower bile duct adenocarcinoma in which a recurrent tumor was removed after pancreaticoduodenectomy. In this study, 4 patients undergoing a curative re-operation survived more than 1 year after the surgery. The present study was small, but the findings are significant because of the scarcity of reports of patients undergoing secondary surgery after PD.     

Usefulness of follow-up after pancreatoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

Background: The prognosis for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (CAV) is better than for pancreatic cancer. The 5-year survival median rate after resection of CAV is 45%, but late recurrences remain possible. Several survival factors have been identified (lymph nodes, perineural invasion), but few data are available on the type of recurrences, their impact and their management. Patients and methods: A total of 41 patients treated by pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for CAV from 1980 to 2003 were studied retrospectively. Patient selection, long-term survival recurrence rate and recurrence treatment were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate proportional hazards analysis were conducted on this series. Results: The mean follow-up was 48 months. Five-year survival was 62.8%. Eleven patients had recurrences (6–67 months). Recurrence was associated with time to all-causes death (hazard ratio [HR] 4.3, p=0.003). Factors predictive of recurrence were perineural invasion (HR 5.3, p=0.02), lymph node invasion (HR 5.3, p=0.02) and differentiation (HR 0.2, p=0.05). Three patients underwent surgical R0 treatment of their recurrences. Two who presented with solitary liver metastasis are alive and disease-free. Conclusions: Recurrence represents a serious threat in the prognosis of CAV after surgery. Some of these recurrences, in particular liver metastases, are accessible for a curative treatment. This finding supports the usefulness of a close and long-term follow-up after surgery to improve survival of patients with CAV, especially in the group of patients with a good prognosis.     

Can endoscopic resection be applied for early stage ampulla of Vater cancer?

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic resection can provide a wide tumor resection with a negative resection margin, it is not yet recommended as a curative therapy for ampulla of Vater cancer. METHODS: To investigate the microinvasion rate and the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic biopsy to properly judge the safety of endoscopic resection for ampulla of Vater cancer. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty-nine patients who were finally diagnosed with ampulla of Vater cancer after curative surgical resection. INTERVENTIONS: We surveyed the pathologic concordance rate of endoscopic biopsy and the surgical pathology. For the 36 early stage (Tis or T1) cancers, we surveyed the presence of microlymphovascular invasion, gross appearance (intra-ampullary type, periampullary type, or mixed type), and pathologic subtype (intestinal type or pancreaticobiliary type). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Presence of microinvasion in early staged ampulla of Vater cancer. RESULTS: Endoscopic biopsy failed to reveal malignancy in 15.9% of the 126 cases. Microlymphovascular invasion was present in 17 cases (56.7%) of the 30 T1 cancers but was absent in all cases of the 6 Tis cancers (P = .02). Neither the gross appearance (P = .51) nor the pathologic subtype (P = .28) could predict the microinvasion rate. LIMITATIONS: Single-center, retrospective study with small number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although endoscopic resection improves the low predictability of endoscopic biopsy, surgical resection should be performed for the T1 stage ampulla of Vater cancer because of the high lymphovascular invasion rate. On the other hand, the safety of endoscopic resection should be evaluated by a large-scale study on Tis cancers to consider the absence of microinvasion.