Villous tumors of the ampulla of Vater: local resection versus pancreatoduodenectomy.

Villous adenomas involving the ampulla of Vater are uncommon. In particular, malignant potential of villous tumors may be difficult to determine preoperatively. In such cases, the decision to perform a conservative local excision or the more radical pancreatoduodenectomy should be based on accurate histologic assessment and the possibility of obtaining adequate margins of resection.