Prognostic Factors and Survival Rate of Ampulla of Vater Cancer after Curative Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Ampulla of Vater cancer has a more favorable prognosis than other malignant tumors of the periampullary region, but prognostic factors have not been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors of ampulla of Vater cancer from a single hospital experience. METHODS: The medical records of the 102 patients with ampulla of Vater cancer which underwent curative surgery between 1992 and 2002, were reviewed. All specimens were critically reviewed by an expert pathologist. The relationships between survival and the clinicopathological variables were assessed. RESULTS: In 120 patients that presented with ampulla of Vater cancer, 102 (85%) were resected. The 5 year survival rate was 69.1%. A univariate analysis showed the survival was closely related to gender, the tumor gross morphology, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis. A multivariate analysis identified two significant factors; the depth of invasion and gender. Twenty nine of the 102 patients suffered a recurrence. CONCLUSION: The depth of invasion and gender were independent significant prognostic factors of resectable ampulla of Vater cancer. Careful observation is essential for liver metastasis after surgery, especially in patients that have these factors.