Ampullary Cancer – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com
Thursday, December 21, 2017 by Janine Acero
http://www.naturalpedia.com/ampullary-cancer-causes-side-effects-and-treatments-at-naturalpedia-com.html
Ampullary cancer is a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer originating at the ampulla of Vater, also called hepatopancreatic ampulla or the hepatopancreatic duct. It is a small muscle where the bile duct and pancreatic duct connect and open into the 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 disease is also known as cancer of the papilla of Vater, cancer of the papilla, papillary cancer, and papillary carcinoma.
Known side effects of Ampullary cancer
The signs and symptoms of ampullary carcinoma are largely caused by the obstruction of the duct that carries bile. The most obvious symptom of ampullary cancer is intermittent or persistent jaundice – yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. The chemicals usually eliminated from the body in bile – in particular, bilirubin – accumulate in the blood and cause jaundice and skin itching. Moreover, 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.
Other common signs and symptoms of this cancer include:
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Abdominal pain
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Dyspepsia (indigestion)
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Malaise
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Fever and chills
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Anorexia
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Acute pancreatitis
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Weight loss
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Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Back pain
- Anemia with or without gastrointestinal bleeding
Indigestion and diarrhea are caused by lack of pancreatic enzymes that digest food in the intestine. On physical examination, the gall bladder is felt as a distended bag – this is called the Courvoisier sign. Back pain is one of the symptoms of advanced stage of ampullary cancer.
The cause of ampullary carcinoma is unknown, but genetic factors appear to play a role in its development. Other factors like cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus may be associated with ampullary cancer. Fortunately, it is rather rare.
Body systems harmed by Ampullary cancer
Ampullary cancer adversely affects the gastrointestinal tract.
Food items or nutrients that may prevent Ampullary cancer
The following foods contain powerful nutrients that can help fight off different types of cancer:
- Broccoli contains a a sizable amount of sulforaphane, a potent compound that boosts the body’s protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals. It helps fight breast, liver, lung, prostate, skin, stomach, and bladder cancers.
- Black raspberries contain very high concentrations of anthocyanins, which slow down the growth of premalignant cells. These help fight colon, esophageal, oral, and skin cancers.
- Tomatoes are the best dietary source of lycopene known to stop endometrial cancer cell growth. These help fight endometrial, lung, prostate and stomach cancers.
- Walnuts block estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, possibly slowing the cells’ growth. These help fight breast and prostate cancers.
- Garlic contains phytochemicals that can halt the formation of nitrosamines – carcinogens formed in the stomach. It helps fight breast, colon, esophageal and stomach cancers.
- Black and navy beans increase the levels of butyrate, a type of fatty acid that has protective effects against cancer growth. These help fight breast and colon cancers.
- Green tea is rich in polyphenols that reduce the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. It’s also a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier, and it encourages cancer cell death.
- Pomegranate juice is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to substantially reduce the development of even the most aggressive prostate cancers.
- Fresh ginger or ginger root has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that combat certain cancer cells and helps slow tumor growth.
Treatments, management plans for Ampullary cancer
Surgical removal of the cancer is the most common treatment for ampullary carcinoma. Other treatments are chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Where to learn more
Summary
Ampullary cancer is a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer originating at the ampulla of Vater. It is a small muscle where the bile duct and pancreatic duct join and open into the intestine.
Ampullary cancer can cause obstruction of the common bile duct and prevent bile from flowing into the intestine and out of the body.
Sources include:
UHN.ca[PDF]
Tagged Under: Tags: Ampullary cancer
