Ampullary Cancer
Ampullary cancer is a cancer of the ampulla of Vater, the part that connects the common bile duct and pancreatic duct to the small intestine. A patient with ampullary cancer suffers from jaundice, weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite and itching.

Ampullary cancer is a relatively rare cancer arising from Ampulla of Vater. The ampulla of Vater is the part that connects the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct to the small intestine. It regulates the flow of pancreatic juice and bile into the intestine through contraction and relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi, the sphincter located at this junction.

True ampullary cancers originate from the ampulla of Vater. Periampullary cancers, on the other hand, originate from the pancreas, bile duct, or intestines close to the ampulla of Vater. Some studies indicate that patients with ampullary cancers have a better survival rate than those with periampullary cancers.

Genetic factors play a major role in the development of ampullary cancer. In addition, other factors like cigarette smoking and presence of certain diseases could increase the risk of ampullary cancer.

Most patients with ampullary cancer present with jaundice. The tumor obstructs the flow of pancreatic and biliary juices into the intestine. This results in the development of a type of jaundice called obstructive jaundice.

The typical triad of clinical features that points to ampullary cancer includes persistent or intermittent jaundice, anemia and a palpable gall bladder. But these features may not be obvious in all patients.

Diagnosis of ampullary cancer is based on various tests like imaging studies, endoscopy and biopsy. The cancer is then staged to determine the prognosis of the patient. In some cases, the cancer is resectable, and the patients undergo surgery to remove the same. In other cases, the cancer may be difficult to remove due to its spread. In such cases, palliative procedures like stenting to relieve the obstruction may be performed.