Tumors of the ampulla of Vater treated by local resection: a report of five cases.

The clinical features, diagnostic work-up and difficulties in establishing a diagnosis on endoscopic biopsy specimens were retrospectively analysed in five patients with ampullary tumors. In addition, the technique of local papillary resection is reported. Indications for local resection are: elderly patients with severe co-existing diseases, patients with benign ampullary tumors which are either adenomatous or show epithelial dysplasia or patients with inconclusive preoperative endoscopic biopsy or peroperative frozen sections.