Ampullary carcinoma in patients under 50 years of age with a poor prognosis

Natural history of acute upper GI bleeding due to tumours: short-term success and long-term recurrence with or without endoscopic therapy

BACKGROUND

Scant information is available regarding patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) from tumours.

AIM

To determine the presentation, endoscopic findings, treatment and outcomes in patients with UGIB from malignant tumours and identify risk factors associated with rebleeding.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who were hospitalised with haematemesis, melena or haematochezia and underwent upper endoscopy were identified retrospectively by reviewing an endoscopy database. Patients with UGIB due to biopsy-proven malignant tumours were studied.

RESULTS

Tumours were the source of bleeding in 106 (5%) of 2,166 patients with UGIB. Tumours were oesophageal in 17 (16%), gastric in 77 (73%) and duodenal in 12 (11%). At presentation, 84 (79%) did not have known cancer previously, and 79 (75%) had metastatic disease. Seventy-seven (73%) received transfusions at index hospitalisation. At endoscopy, 32 (30%) had active bleeding (31 oozing, 1 spurting). Among actively bleeding patients, haemostasis was achieved in 12 (86%) of 14 receiving endoscopic therapy and all 18 not receiving endoscopic treatment. Hospitalisation for rebleeding occurred in 50 (49%) of 103 at a median of 30 days (3-885). On multivariate analysis, age ≤60 years (OR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.06-5.81) and haemodynamic instability (OR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.08-5.46) were associated with rebleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting with tumour-associated UGIB have substantial blood loss, with three-quarters requiring transfusion at presentation. Initial haemostasis occurs in almost all patients, with or without endoscopic therapy, but rebleeding requiring repeat hospitalisation occurs in approximately half the patients and is more common in patients who are ≤60 years of age and have haemodynamic instability at presentation.

Endoscopic resection of ampullary lesions: a single-center 8-year retrospective cohort study of 91 patients with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ampullectomy is established as a valuable treatment for adenomas of the Vaterian papilla. Few large series are available, however, let alone any with long-term follow-up. Moreover, multiple tangible issues remain. The aim of our study was to evaluate efficacy, safety, and outcome of endoscopic ampullectomy and compare it to existing literature

METHODS

This is a single-center, retrospective study with a minimal follow-up of 3 years including 91 patients, including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and non-FAP, who had an endoscopic ampullectomy between 2000 and 2008. Outcome parameters included ampulloma characteristics, biotical accuracy as well as safety, efficacy, recurrence rate, and survival after endoscopic ampullectomy.

RESULTS

Endoscopic resection was successful in 71 patients (78%). Histological review of the resected specimens revealed nonspecific changes (13.8%), low or medium grade dysplasia (52.9%), high grade dysplasia (21.8%) and carcinoma (18.3%). Bioptic accuracy was 38.3%. Overall complications were observed in 23 patients (25.2%): pancreatitis (15.4%), hemorrhage (12.1%) and cholangitis (4.9%). Recurrence occurred in 18.3%. Fourteen patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Survival after complete endoscopic ampullectomy was excellent for patients with low to moderate grade dysplasia and high grade dysplasia. Incomplete endoscopic resection of high grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma was associated with unfavorable outcome when treated merely endoscopically.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic ampullectomy is obligatory for assessment of the true histological nature of an ampulloma. Endoscopic resection is a safe and efficient procedure for adenomas with low to moderate dysplasia but also for high grade dysplastic lesions, provided that a complete endoscopic resection is achieved.

[Long term outcome following 26 surgical ampullectomies]

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard surgical treatment for malignant ampullomas but is still associated with a mortality and morbidity still ranging from 0 to 10% and from 15 to 40%, respectively. Ampullectomy is an alternative to PD for benign ampulloma or, in high-risk patients, for invasive carcinoma. The aim of this study was to report early and long term results of surgical ampullectomy for presumed benign ampullomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1981 to 2004, 26 patients from two institutions underwent surgical ampullectomy. Of the 26 patients, 8 had familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Surgical ampullectomy was indicated on a multisciplinary basis.

RESULTS

Final pathological examination revealed 15 adenomas, 4 in situ adenocarcinomas, 2 endocrine tumors, and 5 other benign lesions. There was no postoperative mortality. Specific morbidity was 8% (N=2). Mean follow-up was 86+/-70 months (range: 3-204). Actuarial overall 5-year survival was 92%. There were 4 local recurrences (none in patients with FAP). Four patients died during follow-up (including 3 from initial disease).

CONCLUSION

Ampullectomy is a good alternative to PD in case of benign or non-invasive malignant ampullary lesion, including in selected cases of FAP.

Ampullary tumors: endoscopic versus operative management

Most ampullary adenomas (80%) are common benign ampullary tumors; however, they can range from mild dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. They are considered premalignant lesions found in the setting of familial polyposis syndromes or found sporadically, usually manifested by vague abdominal pain, liver enzyme elevation, jaundice, recurrent pancreatitis, or with uncommon symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding or duodenal obstruction. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with biopsy is a minimally invasive technique used to visualize these tumors directly and to evaluate their histologic characteristics. Definitive treatment primarily depends on these histologic results. Local resection has a high rate of recurrence (5% to 30%) and requires postoperative endoscopic surveillance, which is the reason it is not considered as a first choice in the management of ampullary tumors. The operative mortality is 10% or less for pancreaticoduodenectomy, a procedure of choice at most experienced centers for frank carcinoma, foci papillary adenocarcinoma in pre-excisional biopsies, or high-grade dysplasia ampullary adenomas. Endoscopic interventions for presumed benign ampullary adenomas have resolved symptoms of obstruction, but long-term follow up is necessary to detect early malignant transformation. In summary, the choice of treatment depends on level of surgical skill available, patient tolerance of long-term endoscopic surveillance versus radical surgery, and the presence or absence of coexisting familial adenomatous polyposis.

[Ampullectomy in benign lesion: indications and results]

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection remains today the standard treatment of ampullary and papilla tumours. Whether pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or ampullectomy is indicated for presumed benign lesions remains debated. The feared potential post-operative morbidity of ampullectomies is balanced by the functional sequelae of PD.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This work reports our experience of ampullectomies for presumed benign lesion of the ampulla and papilla and analyses the indications and results of ampullectomies, considering both our series and published series of the literature.

METHODS

Since 1997, eight ampullectomies with frozen section have been performed for presumed benign lesions, taking account of morphologic criteria and pre-operative endoscopic biopsies.

RESULTS

Post-operative mortality was nil. Post-operative morbidity included one bilio-enteric fistula and four acute pancreatitis, all treated conservatively. Final pathological examination showed one benign and one malignant ampullomas, one benign fibrous stenosis of the papilla, one duodenal duplication and one choledococele, two adenomas and one adenomyomatosis of the papilla in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). During follow-up, one de novo duodenal adenoma in FAP and one benign stenosis of the papilla were observed and treated endoscopically. All other patients remain asymptomatic.

CONCLUSION

Ampullectomy with accurate intra-operative frozen section appears adequate for presumed benign lesion of the papilla and ampulla.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Ampullary Carcinoma

Thirty-two consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater who had curative resection by pancreaticoduodenectomy were analyzed to determine the accuracy of preoperative investigations and factors that influenced survival. Obstructive jaundice was present in 31 patients, and most patients had pain and weight loss. Ultrasound was more useful than CT in identifying biliary obstruction, whereas CT was more accurate in demonstrating pancreatic duct dilatation and an ampullary mass. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with biopsy and brush cytology was the most accurate investigation and proved or was suspicious of carcinoma in all patients. Nineteen patients had postoperative complications, three of whom died (9.4%)—two of sepsis and one from aspiration following hematemesis. Actuarial 5-year survival was 46 per cent. Stage of disease was the strongest predictor of survival. All patients with T1 lesions are alive more than 5 years after resection. Patients with lymph node metastases had a significantly shorter survival than node-negative patients (P = 0.00087). Pancreaticoduodenectomy is advocated for ampullary carcinoma in good-risk patients, with the anticipation of prolonged survival in those with early (T1) lesions and node-negative disease.

[Malignant tumors of the ampulla of Vater. Results of radical excision. A study of 39 cases]

STUDY AIM

From 1971 to 1995, 39 patients underwent curative resection of a malignant tumor of the ampulla of Vater. The aim of this retrospective study was to report long-term results and to determine factors influencing survival in these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data was collected from patient record analysis, correspondence with patients, their family or general physician. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare survival data by the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis evaluated the impact of each variable on survival. Values with a P value of 0.05 or less were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Resection consisted of pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 21) or pancreatico-duodenectomy associated with an antrectomy (n = 18). Overall mortality rate after resection was 10% (n = 4). General and specific morbidity rates were 71% and 2.5%. During the course of the follow-up (completeness: 100%) mean survival was 80 months (median: 37 months, range: 6-227 months). Five-year survival rate was 35%. Factors favorably influencing long-term outcome were exposed protruding and well differentiated tumors (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, respectively) and negative lymph node status (P = 0.0001). Prognosis was poorer if tumor was extended into the pancreas (P = 0.04). Among proposed histoprognostic classifications (classifications of Martin, Talbot, Shiraï, Yamaguchi), an excellent correlation was obtained only with TNM classification (P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Results of the present study suggest that prolonged survival can be obtained following radical resection of a malignant tumor of the ampulla of Vater, especially for exposed protruding and well differentiated tumors, without extension into the pancreas or lymph node metastasis. TNM classification provides an excellent predictive value and should be used more systematically.

Are endoscopic procedures able to predict the benignity of ampullary tumors?

BACKGROUND

Malignant ampullary tumors (AT) require pancreatico-duodenectomy (PD) for curative treatment whereas benign AT can be appropriately treated by local resection. This study evaluated the accuracy of endoscopic exploration combining side-viewing duodenoscopy (SVD) with forceps biopsies, endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES), and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) to distinguish benign AT from malignant one.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with AT had preoperative SVD with forceps biopsies, including 9 with ES, and EUS. Nodal status was evaluated by EUS in all patients, but could not evaluate parietal spread in 6 in whom ES was previously done. Results of endoscopic examination were compared with pathologic examination after resection (2 local excisions for 2 benign AT, and 24 PD for 20 malignant and 4 benign AT).

RESULTS

Accuracy of histologic examination of the 26 biopsies of the papilla was 69%. After ES, accuracy of intra-ampullary biopsies was 77%. The EUS had a 75% accuracy for the parietal spread (tumor limited to ampulla or not) and a 69% accuracy for the nodal status. In 11 patients, all explorations were consistent with a benign lesion, but 6 of these patients had a histologically proven malignancy, including one with nodal metastases and two with duodenal involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Side-viewing duodenoscopy with biopsies, even after ES, combined with EUS is not accurate enough to preoperatively ensure that an AT is benign. Indication for a local resection based on these explorations alone is not safe.

Overexpression of different members of the type 1 growth factor receptor family and their association with cell proliferation in periampullary carcinoma

The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB-2, and c-erbB-3 was examined immunohistochemically in 57 cases of periampullary carcinoma. The percentage of Ki-67-positive cells was also examined in the same tissue, to determine the relationship between the expression of the members of the type I growth factor receptor family and cell proliferation. In carcinoma of the head of pancreas, the percentage of cases with overexpression of c-erbB-3 was significantly higher than with overexpression of c-erbB-2 and EGFR. In contrast, in lower bile duct carcinoma and carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, the percentages of cases with overexpression of c-erbB-2 was greater than with overexpression of other growth factor receptors. A higher percentage of cases with overexpression of c-erbB-3 in pancreatic head carcinoma and overexpression of c-erbB-2 in carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater was found in Ki-67 antigen-positive cases. Moreover, the overexpression of c-erb-3 in pancreatic head carcinoma, c-erb-2 in ampulla of Vater carcinoma, and Ki-67 in both carcinomas was found to be associated with poor patient outcome. These results demonstrate that different members of the type I growth factor receptor family are overexpressed in different carcinomas of the periampullary region.

Endoscopic Nd:YAG laser palliation of malignant duodenal tumors

This study assesses the outcome of 20 patients referred for neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy of malignant duodenal tumors between 1984 and 1992. Almost all (95%) of these patients required palliative therapy for gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and nearly half (45%) also had obstructive symptoms. A mean of 3 (range, 1 to 6) laser treatment sessions were required for palliation. Laser therapy eliminated the need for blood transfusions in only 38% of patients. Obstructive symptoms were improved in all patients after laser treatment. Treatment failure could not be predicted on the basis of demographic factors (other than age), tumor characteristics, or transfusion requirements. Survival after laser therapy was 30% at 6 months and 15% at 12 months. Endoscopic neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy is a reasonable approach for palliation of malignant tumor obstruction or hemorrhage in selected cases; however, hemorrhage often continues.

Radical resection for ampullary carcinoma: long-term results

Of 36 patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater who underwent surgery between 1971 and 1990, 31 had a radical operation. There was one operative death. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 56 and 37 per cent respectively. Survival was significantly influenced by tumour stage (P = 0.0002), lymph node status (P = 0.006) and the degree of differentiation of the lesion (P = 0.01). Three patients developed local recurrence after local excision of the tumour. Local or hepatic recurrence was common, even 5 years after pancreatoduodenectomy (four of 18 patients who suffered relapse). Radical resection can be curative in selected patients with ampullary carcinoma but late recurrence suggests the need for careful lifelong follow-up.

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

A consecutive series of 36 Japanese patients with ampullary carcinoma who underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy at the Department of Surgery I, Kyushu University Hospital during the past 20 years were reviewed clinicopathologically to study prognostic factors. A univariate generalized Wilcoxon test showed that preoperative serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) concentration, venous invasion, lymphatic permeation and perineural invasion were significant parameters. A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that venous invasion was the only significant variable. In a sequential serum CEA follow up of 10 patients, an elevation of serum CEA levels was seen to correspond to the clinical development of a recurrence in six, while a high concentration of serum CEA was not evident despite the clinical manifestation of a recurrence in two, and serum CEA levels remained within the normal limits with no evidence of a recurrence in two others. According to the death certificates of 15 patients, where an exact site of metastasis was available, 11 died from liver metastasis, three from lung metastasis and one from peritoneal dissemination. These findings support the theory that a histologic invasion of the venous space is an independent prognostic factor and close attention should be paid to any signs of haematogenous metastasis, such as to the liver and lung, as well as to a serial serum CEA follow up.

Long- and short-term survivors after pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma

Out of 36 consecutive patients who underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, eight patients (long-term survivors) survived more than 5 years after surgery, while eight other patients (short-term survivors) survived less than 12 months after intervention. Both the eight long-term survivors and eight short-term survivors were compared clinicopathologically. The long-term survivors did have some preferable factors such as a high value of peripheral lymphocytes, a low concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen, a small protruding tumor, a shallow depth of invasion, a well-differentiated histopathologic type, an infrequent venous invasion, and no perineural infiltration. However, these differences were not significant. A multivariate regression analysis regarding the 18 prognostic variables showed that both perineural invasion and the grade of histopathologic differentiation were significant parameters. Out of the eight long-term survivors, three patients lived more than 10 years while another died from ampullary carcinoma 74 months after surgery. Pancreatoduodenectomy not only produces long-term survivors but can also effect a complete cure in patients with ampullary carcinoma. A long clinical follow-up of more than 5 years after surgical intervention is thus warranted.