Ampullary Cancer

Overview

Ampullary (AM-poo-la-ree) cancer is rare and similar to pancreatic and bile duct cancers. The name comes from the ampulla of Vater, where the bile duct and pancreatic duct meet. Ampullary cancer can block bile from flowing through the bile ducts and into the small intestine, causing the skin and eyes to turn yellow (jaundice) and other symptoms. These symptoms can cause people to seek treatment earlier than they would for most pancreatic cancers, leading to better outcomes.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for ampullary cancer

• Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic surgeons are nationally known for their skill and experience in treating rare cancers as well as for their multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Special treatments include minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery. Certain early ampullary cancers can be surgically removed during endoscopy — a procedure used to visually examine your upper digestive system with a tiny camera on the end of a long, flexible tube (endoscope).
• Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Gastrointestinal Program (GI Program). Mayo's GI Program includes clinical research activities in eight different disease sites. Each area is organized into scientific programs that work with clinical areas to conduct research to help patients with gastrointestinal cancers, including ampullary cancer, and those at risk.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which recognizes scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

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