Metachronous Ampulla of Vater Carcinoma after Curative-Intent Surgery for Klatskin Tumor

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Metachronous Ampulla of Vater Carcinoma after Curative-Intent Surgery for Klatskin Tumor

D. Chirita, M. Calita, M. Grasu, R. Dumitru, I. Gramaticu, A. Croitoru, M. Ionescu, T. Dumitrascu
Clinical case, no. 4, 2015
Resection represents the single hope for long-term survival in a patient diagnosed with a hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor). However, the largest part of these patients develops a recurrent disease. Second metachronous periampullary cancers after a curative-intent surgery for a Klatskin tumor represent an exceptional pathology, and the management of these patients was poorly documented. Hereby, it is presented a 32-year-old patient with bile duct resection, left hemi-hepatectomy and loco-regional lymph nodes dissection, for a type IIIB Bismuth-Corlette Klatskin tumor, which, furthermore, 6 years later, underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy for a metachronous carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The management and outcomes were discussed in the reported case, along with a literature review of the previously published patients. In conclusion, a metachronous periampullary carcinoma after resection of a Klatskin tumor should be distinguished from a loco-regional recurrent disease. While most of the patients with recurrences are suitable to only chemotherapy and or radiotherapy, a second curative-intent surgery (i.e., pancreaticoduodenectomy) is feasible in the largest part of the patients with a metachronous cancer, with good long-term outcomes.