A Question About Ampullary Cancer?

Is Ampullary Cancer considered a type of Pancreatic Cancer?  Does anyone have this answer?  Is it a genetic cancer like pancreatic? Please let me know if your doctor considers ampullary cancer the same thing as pacreatic cancer.  Need to Know

My Father was diagnosed with this cancer and unfortunately recently passed away as a result of it.

The doctors treating him never specifically called it a "pancreatic cancer" though they did say it was closely related or "on the fence". The ampulla's close anatomical proximity to the pancreas and the fact the pancreatic juices pass through it probably explains why they would refer to it in this manner. Just as a guess, I suspect the lack of specific relearch with this cancer may also lump it in the pancreatic box due to the lack of treatments which specifically target it.

 

Regards

 

Martin

I was recently diagnosed with this cancer and had a Whipple surgery Aug. 20.  I am learning alot about this in a hurry - out of necessity.  It had been originally explained to me as related to pancreatic cancer, but my oncologist this week told me that it is a unique cancer - quite rare- and so there is not a lot of data to support treatment decisions, etc.  Because of its close proximity and shared vascular system, it is most often treated like a pancreatic cancer.  I know some of my chemo is being targeted to protect my liver and stomach as well.  For a little place, it involves a lot of organs and systems.