Definition of Papilla, cancer of Papilla, cancer of: Cancer of a
structure called the papilla or ampulla of Vater, a small muscle
located at the junction where the common bile duct (carrying
bile from the liver and secretions from the pancreas) empties
into the duodenum (upper small intestine). Because of its
location, this cancer can cause obstruction of the common bile
duct and prevent bile from flowing into the intestine and out of
the body. The chemicals usually eliminated from the body in bile
-- in particular, bilirubin -- accumulate in the blood and cause
jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) and itching. The stool becomes
light-colored and the urine dark-colored since the accumulating
bilirubin (which is yellow to dark brown) is eliminated in the
urine instead of the stool. The treatment is surgical removal of
the cancer. There is no effective chemotherapy for ampullary
cancer. The cause of ampullary carcinoma is unknown.
Fortunately, it is rather rare. Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2012
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