Enteroblastic adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater / Adenocarcinoma enteroblástico de la ampolla de Vater

Adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation is a rare histologic subtype of adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract that shows unique histologic and immunohistochemical features that resemble fetal intestinal epithelium. This histological subtype has been widely described in the stomach, where it most frequently appears, but, in other locations, it is misdiagnosed because of the poor experience in routine diagnostic setting. Here we present a case of an 87-year-old male with an adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater with enteroblastic differentiation with a literature review of the cases described of this subtype in this location to date. The anatomical peculiarity of the ampulla, joined with the infrequent nature of this histological subtype, makes this case of great interest to aid to better characterize the biological behavior of these tumors. (AU)

El adenocarcinoma con diferenciación enteroblástica es un subtipo histológico poco frecuente de adenocarcinoma gastrointestinal que muestra características histológicas e inmunohistoquímicas únicas que se asemejan al epitelio intestinal fetal. Este subtipo histológico ha sido ampliamente descrito en el estómago, donde aparece con mayor frecuencia, pero en otras localizaciones es mal diagnosticado debido a la poca experiencia en el diagnóstico de rutina. Presentamos un caso de un varón de 87 años con adenocarcinoma de ampolla de Vater con diferenciación enteroblástica, junto a una revisión bibliográfica de los casos descritos de este subtipo en esta localización hasta el momento. La peculiaridad anatómica de la ampolla, sumada al carácter poco frecuente de este subtipo histológico, dotan a este caso de gran interés para ayudar a caracterizar mejor el comportamiento biológico de estos tumores. (AU)

Enteroblastic adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

Adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation is a rare histologic subtype of adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract that shows unique histologic and immunohistochemical features that resemble fetal intestinal epithelium. This histological subtype has been widely described in the stomach, where it most frequently appears, but, in other locations, it is misdiagnosed because of the poor experience in routine diagnostic setting. Here we present a case of an 87-year-old male with an adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater with enteroblastic differentiation with a literature review of the cases described of this subtype in this location to date. The anatomical peculiarity of the ampulla, joined with the infrequent nature of this histological subtype, makes this case of great interest to aid to better characterize the biological behavior of these tumors.

STIM1/SOX2 proteins are co-expressed in the tumor and microenvironmental stromal cells of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and ampullary carcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and ampullary carcinoma (AAC) are lethal malignancies with modest benefits from surgery. SOX2 and STIM1 have been linked to anticancer activity in several human malignancies. This study included 94 tumor cases: 48 primary PDAC, 25 metastatic PDAC, and 21 primary AAC with corresponding non-tumor tissue. All cases were immunohistochemically stained for STIM1 and SOX2 and results were correlated with clinicopathologic data, patient survival, and BCL2 immunostaining results. Results revealed that STIM1 and SOX2 epithelial/stromal expressions were significantly higher in PDAC and AAC in comparison to the control groups. STIM1 and SOX2 expressions were positively correlated in the primary and metastatic PDAC (P = 0.016 and, P = 0.001, respectively). However, their expressions were not significantly associated with BCL2 expression. SOX2 epithelial/stromal expressions were positively correlated with the large tumor size in the primary AAC group (P = 0.052, P = 0.044, respectively). STIM1 stromal and SOX2 epithelial over-expressions had a bad prognostic impact on the overall survival of AAC (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). Therefore, STIM1 and SOX2 co-expression in tumor cells and intra-tumoral stroma could contribute to the development of PDAC and AAC. STIM1/SOX2 expression is linked to a bad prognosis in AAC.

Morphology of the papilla can predict procedural safety and efficacy of ERCP-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the primary therapeutic procedure for pancreaticobiliary disorders, and studies highlighted the impact of papilla anatomy on its efficacy and safety. Our objective was to quantify the influence of papilla morphology on ERCP outcomes. We systematically searched three medical databases in September 2022, focusing on studies detailing the cannulation process or the rate of adverse events in the context of papilla morphology. The Haraldsson classification served as the primary system for papilla morphology, and a pooled event rate with a 95% confidence interval was calculated as the effect size measure. Out of 17 eligible studies, 14 were included in the quantitative synthesis. In studies using the Haraldsson classification, the rate of difficult cannulation was the lowest in type I papilla (26%), while the highest one was observed in the case of type IV papilla (41%). For post-ERCP pancreatitis, the event rate was the highest in type II papilla (11%) and the lowest in type I and III papilla (6-6%). No significant difference was observed in the cannulation failure and post-ERCP bleeding event rates between the papilla types. In conclusion, certain papilla morphologies are associated with a higher rate of difficult cannulation and post-ERCP pancreatitis.

New gel immersion endoscopic ultrasonography technique for accurate periampullary evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Visualization of the pancreatobiliary junction is one of the challenges faced by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). The water-filling technique, which allows for the observation of the ampulla at a suitable distance by injecting water into the lumen of the duodenum, was used for this purpose. However, a new gel immersion technique has recently been introduced for visualizing the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the effectiveness of visualizing the pancreatobiliary junction in EUS by comparing both water filling and the new gel immersion technique in identical cases. METHODS: The study ran from June to December 2021. Ten images from each technique were retrospectively compared by three independent researchers. The primary result of the study was the number of images depicting the "Pancreatic and Biliary Ducts Penetrating the Duodenal Muscularis Propria" (defined as Excellent observation) in each technique. The secondary outcome was defined as gel immersion technique's safety and impact on duodenal lumen distension. RESULTS: Ten patients used the gel immersion technique. All patients underwent the water-filling technique first, followed by gel injection after the water was completely aspirated. The average number of pictures rated as "Excellent observation," which is the primary outcome, was significantly higher with the gel immersion technique than with water filling, and no adverse events were observed. The subanalysis revealed that both convex and radial echoendoscopes are equally effective at depicting the ampulla with the gel immersion technique. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to depict the pancreatobiliary junction using the gel immersion technique is superior to that of the water-filling method, which may allow for a more detailed assessment of the ampullary region with both radial and convex echoendoscopes. This can be a useful EUS technique for diagnosing pancreaticobiliary maljunction or periampullary tumors.

Evaluation of Malignancy Risk of Ampullary Tumors Detected by Endoscopy Using 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]FDG PET/CT) can aid in evaluating the risk of malignancy in ampullary tumors detected by endoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed 155 patients (79 male, 76 female; mean age, 65.7 ± 12.7 years) receiving 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT for endoscopy-detected ampullary tumors 5-87 days (median, 7 days) after the diagnostic endoscopy between June 2007 and December 2020. The final diagnosis was made based on histopathological findings. The PET imaging parameters were compared with clinical data and endoscopic features. A model to predict the risk of malignancy, based on PET, endoscopy, and clinical findings, was generated and validated using multivariable logistic regression analysis and an additional bootstrapping method. The final model was compared with standard endoscopy for the diagnosis of ampullary cancer using the DeLong test. RESULTS: The mean tumor size was 17.1 ± 7.7 mm. Sixty-four (41.3%) tumors were benign, and 91 (58.7%) were malignant. Univariable analysis found that ampullary neoplasms with a blood-pool corrected peak standardized uptake value in early-phase scan (SUVe) ≥ 1.7 were more likely to be malignant (odds ratio [OR], 16.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.13-36.18; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified the presence of jaundice (adjusted OR [aOR], 4.89; 95% CI, 1.80-13.33; P = 0.002), malignant traits in endoscopy (aOR, 6.80; 95% CI, 2.41-19.20; P < 0.001), SUVe ≥ 1.7 in PET (aOR, 5.43; 95% CI, 2.00-14.72; P < 0.001), and PET-detected nodal disease (aOR, 5.03; 95% CI, 1.16-21.86; P = 0.041) as independent predictors of malignancy. The model combining these four factors predicted ampullary cancers better than endoscopic diagnosis alone (area under the curve [AUC] and 95% CI: 0.925 [0.874-0.956] vs. 0.815 [0.732-0.873], P < 0.001). The model demonstrated an AUC of 0.921 (95% CI, 0.816-0.967) in candidates for endoscopic papillectomy. CONCLUSION: Adding 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT to endoscopy can improve the diagnosis of ampullary cancer and may help refine therapeutic decision-making, particularly when contemplating endoscopic papillectomy.

Predicting the unpredictable: a robust nomogram for predicting recurrence in patients with ampullary carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To screen the risk factors affecting the recurrence risk of patients with ampullary carcinoma (AC)after radical resection, and then to construct a model for risk prediction based on Lasso-Cox regression and visualize it. METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 162 patients that received pancreaticoduodenectomy treatment in Hebei Provincial Cancer Hospital from January 2011 to January 2022. Lasso regression was used in the training group to screen the risk factors for recurrence. The Lasso-Cox regression and Random Survival Forest (RSF) models were compared using Delong test to determine the optimum model based on the risk factors. Finally, the selected model was validated using clinical data from the validation group. RESULTS: The patients were split into two groups, with a 7:3 ratio for training and validation. The variables screened by Lasso regression, such as CA19-9/GGT, AJCC 8th edition TNM staging, Lymph node invasion, Differentiation, Tumor size, CA19-9, Gender, GPR, PLR, Drinking history, and Complications, were used in modeling with the Lasso-Cox regression model (C-index = 0.845) and RSF model (C-index = 0.719) in the training group. According to the Delong test we chose the Lasso-Cox regression model (P = 0.019) and validated its performance with time-dependent receiver operating characteristics curves(tdROC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The areas under the tdROC curves for 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.855, 0.888, and 0.924 in the training group and 0.841, 0.871, and 0.901 in the validation group, respectively. The calibration curves performed well, as well as the DCA showed higher net returns and a broader range of threshold probabilities using the predictive model. A nomogram visualization is used to display the results of the selected model. CONCLUSION: The study established a nomogram based on the Lasso-Cox regression model for predicting recurrence in AC patients. Compared to a nomogram built via other methods, this one is more robust and accurate.

Impact of duodenal papilla anatomy on needle knife papillotomy safety and efficacy in patients with difficult biliary canulation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Needle-knife papillotomy (NKP) is widely performed when biliary cannulation is difficult during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, its safety and efficacy in different types of duodenal papilla are not clear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 217 patients with difficult biliary cannulation who underwent NKP during ERCP procedures from June 2013 to May 2022 in our institution. Patients were classified according to Haraldsson classification type of duodenal papilla: type 1, regular; type 2, small; type 3, protruding or pendulous; and type 4, creased or ridged. Outcome measures were successful biliary cannulation and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: Haraldsson classification was type 1 in 115 patients, type 2 in 29, type 3 in 52, and type 4 in 21. Biliary cannulation was successful in 166 patients (76.5%) Success rates according to Haraldsson type were as follows: type 1, 74.8%; type 2, 82.8%; type 3, 80.8%; and type 4, 66.7%. The rates did not significantly differ among the types (p = 0.48). Overall incidence of adverse events was 9.22%. Incidence of adverse events did not significantly differ among the types (p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: NKP was useful to achieve successful cannulation in patients with difficult biliary cannulation. The rate of successful cannulation and incidence of adverse events were similar among the different types of duodenal papilla.

Prognostic value of nodal staging classification and number of examined lymph nodes among patients with ampullary cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic disease in the regional lymph nodes (LNs) is a strong indicator of worse outcomes among patients after curative-intent resection of ampullary cancer (AC). This study aimed to ascertain the threshold number of examined LNs (ELNs) for AC to compare the prognosis accuracy of various nodal classification schemes relative to long-term prognosis. METHODS: Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for AC (2004-2019) were identified using the National Cancer Database. Locally weighted regression scatter plot smoothing (LOWESS) curves were used to ascertain the optimal cut point for ELNs. The accuracy of the American Joint Committee on Cancer N classification, LN ratio, and log odds transformation (LODDS) ratio to stratify patients relative to survival was examined. RESULTS: Among 8127 patients with AC, 67% were male with a median age of 67 years (IQR, 59-74). Tumors were most frequently classified as T3 (34.9%), followed by T2 (30.6%); T1 (12.9%) and T4 (17.6%) were less common. LN metastasis was identified in 4606 patients (56.7%). Among patients with nodal disease, 37.0% and 19.7% had N1 and N2 disease, respectively. The LOWESS curves identified an inflection cutoff point in the hazard of survival at 20 ELNs. The survival benefit of 20 ELNs was more pronounced among patients without LN metastasis vs patients with N1 disease (median overall survival [OS]: 54.1 months [IQR, 45.9-62.1] in ≥20 ELNs vs 39.0 months [IQR, 35.8-42.2] in <20 ELNs; P < .001) or N2 disease (median OS: 22.5 months [IQR, 18.9-26.2] in ≥20 ELNs vs 25.4 months [IQR, 23.3-27.6] in <20 ELNs; P < .001). When comparing the 4 different N classification schemes, the LODDS classification scheme yielded the highest predictive ability. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of a minimum of 20 LNs was needed to stratify patients with AC relative to the prognosis and to minimize stage migration. The LODDS nodal classification scheme had the highest prognostic accuracy to differentiate survival among patients after PD for AC.

Underwater endoscopic papillectomy for a small neuroendocrine tumor of the ampulla of Vater.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the ampulla of Vater are rare. Therefore, there is a lack of comprehensive information regarding their pathogenesis. We herein present the case of a patient with a 5-mm ampullary NET who demonstrated the presence of lymphatic invasion after undergoing endoscopic papillectomy. A 44-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of a grade 1 NET in the ampulla of Vater. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass within the submucosal layer without obvious infiltration into the common bile duct or the main pancreatic duct. We performed underwater endoscopic papillectomy (UEP) to remove the tumor with a negative margin. Pathological evaluation of the resected specimen showed a grade 1 NET with a negative margin. However, pancreaticoduodenectomy was subsequently performed because of the risk of lymph node metastasis, which was expected due to the significant number of NET cells infiltrating the endothelium of the lymphatic vessels. No lymph node metastasis or recurrence was observed during the 26-month follow-up period. UEP is a useful method to achieve complete resection for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. UEP may be a novel option for endoscopic treatment of ampullary NET.

Bile ductal mucosal dysplasia is a possible risk factor for adenocarcinoma in patients with adenomyomatous hyperplasia of the Vaterian system: a single-centre study from China.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between adenomyomatous hyperplasia of the Vaterian system(AV) and cancer is unclear, some reports suggest that AV is often combined with mucosal glandular dysplasia, but it is not clear whether mucosal glandular dysplasia is a risk factor for carcinogenesis of AV. The aim of this study was to retrospective analysis of role of ductal glandular dysplasia as a risk factor in the development of carcinoma in AV. METHODS: A total of 328 cases who underwent surgery with a final pathological diagnosis of adenomyomatous hyperplasia (AH) in the Chinese PLA General Hospital in BeiJing, China, between January 2005 and December 2021 were retrospectively collected. There were Seventeen cases(5%) in which the lesions were located in the common bile duct as well as the ampulla of Vater, and their clinical (age, sex, etc.), imaging (cholelithiasis, etc.) and pathological data (mucosal glandular dysplasia, etc.) were collected. Clinical data and pathological features of AV with or without mucosal glandular dysplasia were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 17 out of 328 cases of AH occurring in the Vaterian system (5%). Three of seventeen AV cases were associated with carcinoma (18%). Of three cases, two (12%) with the tumor lesions in the mucosal glands adjacent to the AH (biliary tract cancer and ampullary cancer), and one (6%) with carcinoma developed from AH itself in the ampulla of Vater. All carcinomas had adenomyomatous hyperplasia with nearby mucosal glandular dysplasia (MGD). The percentage of BTC or AC was higher in patients with concurrent AH and MGD compared to AH patients without MGD. The results show tendency toward statistical significance (P = 0.082). This difference was more obvious among AH with severe dysplasia compared to adenomyomatous hyperplasia with mild-moderate dysplasia (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to find that AV is associated with biliary tract cancer and ampullary cancer. In AV, the mucosal glandular dysplasia may be a risk factor for the development of malignancy. The underlying mechanism for carcinogenesis of AV could be AH itself or its secretions stimulating mucosal glands hyperplasia, then mucosal glands dysplasia. AV may be a precancerous lesion.

Clinical impact of ampulla of Vater cancer subtype classification based on immunohistochemical staining.

BACKGROUND: The histological subtype is an important prognostic factor for ampulla of Vater (AoV) cancer. This study proposes a classification system for the histological subtyping of AoV cancer based on immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and its prognostic significance. METHODS: Seventy-five AoV cancers were analyzed for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), CK20, and causal-type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) expression by IHC staining. We differentiated the subtypes (INT, intestinal; PB, pancreatobiliary; MIX, mixed; NOS, not otherwise specified) into classification I: CK7/CK20, classification II: CK7/CK20 or CDX2, classification III: CK7/CDX2 and examined their associations with clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Classifications I, II, and III subtypes were INT (7, 10, and 10 cases), PB (43, 37, and 38 cases), MIX (13, 19, and 18 cases), and NOS (12, 9, and 9 cases). Significant differences in disease-free survival among the subtypes were observed in classifications II and III using CDX2; the PB and NOS subtype exhibited shorter survival time compared with INT subtype. In classification III, an association was revealed between advanced T/N stage, poor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), the PB and NOS subtypes, and recurrence risk. In classification III, the subtypes differed significantly in T/N stage and LVI. Patients with the PB subtype had advanced T and N stages and a higher incidence of LVI. CONCLUSIONS: Classification using CDX2 revealed subtypes with distinct prognostic significance. Combining CK7 and CDX2 or adding CDX2 to CK7/CK20 is useful for distinguishing subtypes, predicting disease outcomes, and impacting the clinical management of patients with AoV cancer.

Revolutionizing anti-HER2 therapies for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer: Current advancements and future perspectives.

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) encompass a heterogeneous group of rare tumors, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA), gallbladder cancer (GBC) and ampullary cancer (AC). The present first-line palliative treatment regimen comprises gemcitabine and cisplatin in combination with immunotherapy based on two randomized controlled studies. Despite the thorough investigation of these palliative treatments, long-term survival remains low. Moving beyond conventional chemotherapies and immunotherapies, the realm of precision medicine has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in malignancies such as breast and gastric cancers, characterized by notable HER2 overexpression rates. In the context of biliary tract cancer, significant HER2 alterations are observed, particularly within eCCA and GBC, heightening the interest in precision medicine. Various anti-HER2 therapies, including trastuzumab, pertuzumab, trastuzumab-deruxtecan, zanidatamab and neratinib, have undergone investigation. The objective of this review is to summarize the current evidence and outline future directions of targeted HER2 treatment therapy in patients with biliary tract tumors, specially extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer.

Establishment and characterization of DPC-X4: a novel mixed-type ampullary cancer cell line.

Mixed-type ampullary cancer is a distinct subtype of ampullary cancer that manifests a merging of the biological characteristics of both intestinal and pancreaticobiliary subtypes. The absence of established cell lines specific to this subtype has resulted in a concomitant scarcity of research on its tumorigenic mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic modalities. The present study achieved the successful establishment of a novel mixed-type ampullary cancer cell line, designated DPC-X4 through primary culture techniques. Subsequent analyses pertaining to phenotypic characteristics, molecular profiling, biomarker identification, and histological features validated the DPC-X4 cell line as a potent model for delineating the pathogenesis of mixed-type ampullary cancer and facilitating the development of new pharmacological agents. This newly established cell line was subjected to continuous cultivation for 1 year, with stable passaging for over 50 generations. Notably, the DPC-X4 cell line manifested typical morphological features associated with epithelial tumors. Furthermore, the population doubling time for the DPC-X4 cell line was determined at 70 h. Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis confirmed that the DPC-X4 cell line exhibited a high genetic concordance with the primary tumor from the patient. Karyotypic profiling indicated an abnormal sub-triploid karyotype, with representative karyotypes of 57, XXY inv (9), 14p + , 15p + , der (17), + mar. The DPC-X4 cell line demonstrated a high capacity for efficient organoid formation under suspension culture conditions. In addition, the subcutaneous inoculation of DPC-X4 cells into NXG mice led to the formation of xenografted tumors. The results of drug sensitivity testing indicated that DPC-X4 cells were sensitive to paclitaxel and resistant to oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive expression of CK7, CK19, and CK20 in DPC-X4 cells, while CDX2 demonstrated negative expression. In addition, positive expression of E-cadherin and vimentin was identified in DPC-X4 cells, with a proliferation index indicated by Ki-67 at 70%. The findings of our study establish DPC-X4 as a novel mixed-type ampullary cancer cell line, which can serve as a potential experimental model for exploring the pathogenesis of ampullary cancer and the development of therapeutic drugs.

Outcomes of minor versus major papilla rendez-vous for EUS-guided pancreatic duct drainage.

OBJECTIVES: EUS-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PD) using rendez-vous has been suggested as a safer alternative to pancreatogastrostomy. Fibrostenotic disease in the pancreatic head may however preclude major papilla rendez-vous, leading to preferential guidewire advancement through the minor papilla. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of minor and major papilla rendez-vous. METHODS: This is a tertiary single-center retrospective analysis of all consecutive EUS-PD procedures performed from 2015 to April 2022. EUS-PD was only performed following failed retrograde attempts. Successful EUS-PD rendez-vous cases were included and minor and major papilla procedures were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the final analysis (66.6% male, mean age 56.1 [SD±14.8] years, 54.6% active smokers). In 21 patients (63.6%), minor papilla rendez-vous was attained. Clinical success was achieved in 81.0% vs. 58.3% in the major papilla group (p = 0.230). The overall incidence of AE was similar in both groups (9 [42.9%] vs. 4 [33.3%] events, p = 0.719), with a comparable distribution in severe, moderate and mild AE. Incidence of recurrent pancreatitis was almost identical (28.6% vs. 25.0%, p = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with symptomatic chronic pancreatitis, EUS-PD using minor or major papilla rendez-vous attained similar results, suggesting that pancreatic duct drainage through the minor papilla can be considered as equally effective.

Hybrid resection versus conventional resection for laterally spreading lesions of the papilla.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although conventional hot snare resection (CR) of laterally spreading lesions of the major papilla (LSL-Ps) is effective, it can be associated with delayed bleeding in upward of 25% of cases. Given the excellent safety profile of cold snare polypectomy in the colorectum, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a novel hybrid resection (HR) technique for LSL-P management, consisting of hot snare papillectomy plus cold snare resection of the laterally spreading component. METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients underwent HR in a tertiary referral center over 60 months until December 2022. This cohort was compared with a historical cohort of patients who underwent CR at the same institution over 120 months until August 2017. The primary outcomes were recurrence and bleeding. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent HR (14 female; mean age 65.2 ± 12.2 years). Median lesion size was 30 mm (interquartile range, 25.0-47.5 mm). Recurrent or residual adenoma (RRA) was greater with HR (58.8% [n = 10] vs 29.8% [n = 14]; P = .034). The odds ratio for recurrence was 3.6 times (95% CI, 1.2-11.0) higher with HR (P = .027). RRA was multifocal in 4 (40%) and had a composite RRA volume >10 mm in 7 (70%). The median number of procedures required to treat RRA was higher with HR (4 vs 1, P = .002). There was no difference between CR and HR for intraprocedural bleeding (41.1% [n = 23] vs 25% [n = 5]; P = .587) or delayed bleeding (25.0% vs 10.0%, P = .211). There were no perforations. CONCLUSIONS: The novel HR technique for LSL-P management is associated with a high rate of RRA that is recalcitrant to treatment, without mitigating the risk of intraprocedural or delayed bleeding. Therefore, CR should remain the mainstay management option for treating patients with an LSL-P. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT02306603.).

The timing of recurrence after endoscopic papillectomy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) offers a safe and effective method for resection of ampullary adenomas. Data regarding the long-term resolution of adenoma following EP are limited. The aim of this study therefore was to examine the timing of recurrence after EP of ampullary adenomas. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study including patients who received EP for ampullary adenomas from 8/2000 to 1/2018. Patients with confirmed complete eradication of adenoma were included in the recurrence analysis with recurrence defined as finding adenomatous histology after 1 negative surveillance endoscopy. Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated to determine recurrence rates. RESULTS: Of the 165 patients who underwent EP, 136 patients (mean age 61.9, 51.5% female) had adenomatous histology with a mean lesion size of 21.2 mm. A total of 124 (91.2%) achieved complete eradication with a follow-up of 345.8 person-years. Recurrence occurred in 20 (16.1%) patients at a mean of 3.2 (± 3) years (range 0.5-9.75 years) for a recurrence rate of 5.8 (95% CI 3.6-8.8) per 100 person-years. Nine (45%) recurrences occurred after the 1st 2 years of surveillance. Recurrence rate did not differ by baseline pathology [low-grade dysplasia: 5.2 (95% CI 3.0-9.0), high-grade dysplasia: 6.9 (95% CI 2.3-15.5), adenocarcinoma: 7.7 (95% CI 0.9-25.1)]. CONCLUSION: Recurrence remains a significant concern after EP. Given the timing of recurrence, long surveillance periods may be necessary. Larger multicenter studies are needed, however, to determine appropriate surveillance intervals.

Survival and surgical outcomes of robotic versus open pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary cancer: A propensity score-matching comparison.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy in ampullary cancer has never been studied. This study aimed to clarify the feasibility and justification of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy in ampullary cancer in terms of surgical risks, and oncologic and survival outcomes. METHODS: A propensity score-matching comparison of robotic and open pancreaticoduodenectomy based on seven factors commonly used to predict the survival outcomes in ampullary cancer patients. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were enrolled, of which 101 and 46 underwent robotic and open pancreaticoduodenectomies, respectively. After propensity score-matching with a 2:1 ratio, 88 and 44 patients in the robotic and open pancreaticoduodenectomy groups were included. The operation time was of no significant difference after matching. The median intraoperative blood loss was much less in those who underwent robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy, both before (median, 120 vs. 320 c.c. P < 0.001) and after (100 vs. 335 mL P < 0.001) score-matching. There were no significant differences in terms of surgical risks, including surgical mortality, surgical morbidity, Clavien-Dindo severity classification, postoperative pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying, post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage, chyle leak, bile leak, and wound infection, both before or after score-matching. The survival outcomes were also similar between the two groups, regardless of matching. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary cancer is not only technically feasible and safe without increasing surgical risks, but also oncologically justifiable without compromising surgical radicality and survival outcomes.