Periampullary carcinomas

Abstract

Backgronnd/Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of survival after resection for periampullary neoplasms. Methodology: In this study, we reevaluated our 17 cases of this type tumor which we had reported as periampullar site tumors, in advanced stages with undetermined localization, in our pathology department of the Uludag University faculty of medicine. Results: Six of our cases were female, and 11 were male with a mean age of 60.6 years (range 31-77). Their main complaints were loss of weight, anorexia, jaundice and fatigue. Physical and endoscopic examination of these patients revealed periampullary mass and Whipple operations were performed on all of them. Histopathologic examinations of these tumors revealed adenocarcinoma in 15, small cell (neuroendocrin) carcinoma in two. All were in the advanced stages. Eight of them were alive and free of disease after 1.5- to 20-month follow-ups, while ten died because of disease. Conclusions: Periampullary carcinoma is a problem with increasing clinical significance. Tumor size, tumor type and differentiation, lymph node status appears to be prognostic markers.