Intra-ampullary and Periampullary Carcinoma: Clinicopathological Comparison and Survival Outcomes

Introduction The ampulla of Vater is a structure in the duodenal wall in which the biliary and pancreatic ducts open. Malignant epithelial tumors arising at this site are commonly referred to as ampullary adenocarcinomas. In this study, we compared the clinicopathological features of intra-ampullary and periampullary carcinomas, including survival outcomes. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Liaquat National Hospital. All radiologically suspected cases or biopsy-proven (endoscopic biopsy) cases of intra-ampullary/periampullary carcinoma were included in the study. All patients underwent surgical resection (Whipple's procedure/pancreatoduodenectomy). The classification of intra-ampullary and periampullary carcinomas was performed according to the College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines. Results Among the 188 case studies, most (61.7%, n = 116) were males, with a median age of 55 years. Most tumors were of the pancreatobiliary subtype (57.4%, n = 108). Similarly, intra-ampullary carcinoma was more common than periampullary carcinoma (61.7% vs. 38.3%). Intra-ampullary carcinoma showed a higher extent of involvement of adjacent structures, a higher frequency of perineural invasion, and a higher nodal stage than periampullary carcinoma. Similarly, the median disease-specific survival of intra-ampullary carcinoma was significantly lower (46 months) than that of periampullary carcinoma (53.5 months). Conclusion We found a higher incidence of intra-ampullary carcinoma in our study. In addition, intra-ampullary carcinoma had a worse survival rate and was associated with poorer pathological parameters, such as perineural invasion and higher nodal and tumor stages than periampullary carcinoma.