Can Ampullary G1 and G2 Neuroendocrine Tumors Be Cured by Endoscopic Papillectomy?

At present, pancreaticoduodenectomy or local excision are the main treatment options for ampullary neuroendocrine tumors of any size with no distant spread. Endoscopic papillectomy provided a super minimally invasive treatment method for ampullary lesions. However, the studies of endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary neuroendocrine tumors were very limited. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary neuroendocrine tumors.

Between August 2007 and June 2021, seven patients with ampullary neuroendocrine tumors with no advanced signs underwent endoscopic papillectomy in our center. We assessed and analyzed the related clinical outcomes. Moreover, a comprehensive literature review was conducted.

All the seven cases underwent endoscopic papillectomy successfully; six (85.7%) of them achieved the complete resection. No recurrence occurred over a median follow-up of 48 months (range 6-172 months). Moreover, 22 cases from the comprehensive search were included, and showed a promising clinical outcome.

Endoscopic papillectomy appeared to be a feasible way to treat ampullary neuroendocrine tumors without the advanced signs, although further prospectively multicenter studies are warranted.