Metastatic rectal cancer in the ampulla of Vater: A unique case

Abstract

Background: A metastatic lesion located in the ampulla of Vater is considered extremely rare, with only 32 cases reported globally.

Case: A 65-year-old patient was primarily diagnosed with a rectal adenocarcinoma. Twenty-four months later as part of the oncological follow-up, the patient was diagnosed with a single secondary tumor in the ampulla of Vater. After undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), the patient experienced an uneventful recovery and received adjuvant chemotherapy. Sixteen months later the patient remained disease-free.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the present case represents the first reported metastatic tumor in the ampulla of Vater, originating from a rectal adenocarcinoma. This case underlines the critical role of immunohistochemistry in arriving at a correct diagnosis in order to guide clinical decision-making.

Keywords: Vater; immunochemistry; metastatic; rectal cancer; secondary.