[Clinical characteristics associated to resectability in patients with tumors of the ampulla of Vater in a third-level hospital in Mexico: an 18-year experience].

BACKGROUND: Ampulla of Vater's tumors (AVT) are rare and account for 0.2% of neoplasia in necropsies. The stage, comorbidities and surgical experience are crucial for prognosis. The aim of this work is to report the clinical characteristics, treatment and complication of a group of patients with AVT.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with AVT were included in a retrospective manner. Descriptive statistics was used and data were shown as means and SD.
RESULTS: One hundred and six patients were included with a mean age of 58.5 +/- 14 years and 58% were women. Jaundice was the most common clinical data and it was present in 90% of cases. Two-thirds of patients underwent a Whipple surgical procedure. Complications of surgery were present in 35% of cases and abdominal sepsis and pancreatic fistulae were the most common (32% and 29%, respectively). Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type and 39% of cases were in stage IV at diagnosis. Age higher or equal to 65 years was associated with less surgical possibilities. Melena at presentation was associated with a higher probability of surgical resection.
CONCLUSION: The probability of surgical resection is lower in patients older than 65 years and higher in those with melena at the diagnosis.