Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.
2006 Oct;33(4):253-256.
A Case of Ampullary Carcinoma Managed with Endoscopic Snare Ampullectomy
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Red Cross Hospital, Seoul, Korea. kyuchellee@hanmail.net
Abstract
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The ampullary carcinoma is a rare disease that occurs in approximately 0.2% of all gastrointestinal carcinomas and in 7% of all periampullary carcinomas. The clinical manifestations of ampullary carcinoma are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, itching, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. When discovered, approximately 80% of cases are operable because of the rare regional invasion of the tumor. The 5-year survival rate after surgery is approximately 35%, but closer to 0% without surgery. Therefore the treatment of choice is surgery (pancreaticoduodenec-tomy, Whipple's operation). However, less invasive procedures are needed for patients in poor general condition, old age, and those who refuse surgery. We report a case of an ampullary carcinoma in which an endoscopic snare ampullectomy was performed as a second option after the patient refused surgery.