[Adenomas of Vater's ampulla and of the duodenum. Presentation of diagnosis and therapy by endoscopic interventional and surgical methods].

BACKGROUND: Adenoma of the ampulla of Vater and the duodenum are rare tumors. The leading symptoms are unspecific; sometimes they are due to the disturbances of the passage or erosion of the tumor. Early and correct diagnosis and the appropriate therapy are of decisive importance because these tumors are precancerous.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the cases of seven patients with periampullary adenoma of the duodenum, in one case with incorporation of the the distal bile duct. The diagnostic steps and the surgical treatment are reported and discussed. In achieving a definitive diagnosis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is of paramount importance. Three patients subsequently underwent partial pancreatoduodenectomy (Whipple's procedure); in three patients transduodenal local tumor excision was performed. Postoperative course was without complications in each case and no operative mortality occurred. One patient was treated by argon-coagulation.

RESULTS: The histopathological examination showed a tubular villous adenoma in six cases and in one case a villous adenoma (ranging from low to high grade dysplasia). Because there is evidence of an adenoma-carcinoma-sequence, radical surgical treatment is recommended, even in adenoma with low grade dysplasia, in spite of the absence of malignancy.