Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the ampulla of vater causing obstructive jaundice: report of a case.

We report a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the ampulla of Vater, causing painless obstructive jaundice in a 78-year-old woman. Duodenal endoscopy revealed a mass in the ampulla of Vater and narrowing of the second portion of the duodenum, although diagnosing DLBCL from an endoscopic biopsy was impossible because there were several kinds of leukocytes in the infiltrate. We performed pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy to establish a histological diagnosis, relieve the obstructive jaundice, and remove the narrowed second portion of the duodenum. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of the surgically resected specimen confirmed a diagnosis of DLBCL. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for DLBCL; however, surgery still plays an important role when the histological diagnosis cannot be established preoperatively and when complications are not amenable to nonsurgical therapy.