Is ampullary cancer pancreatic cancer?

Ampullary cancer is not pancreatic cancer, but the two are located in a similar location and both require comprehensive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Ampullary cancer occurs at the junction of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct, while pancreatic cancer originates from the pancreatic tissue. The two have differences in causes, symptoms, and treatments.

1. The causes of ampullary cancer include genetic factors, environmental factors, physiological factors, trauma and pathological factors. Genetic factors may involve gene mutations such as familial adenomatous polyposis; environmental factors such as long-term exposure to chemicals or smoking; physiological factors include bile duct stones or chronic inflammation; trauma such as a history of abdominal surgery; and pathological factors involve chronic diseases of the bile duct or pancreas.

2. The etiology of pancreatic cancer also involves genetic, environmental, physiological, traumatic and pathological factors. Genetic factors include familial pancreatic cancer syndrome; environmental factors include smoking, high-fat diet and diabetes; physiological factors include chronic pancreatitis; trauma includes abdominal trauma; and pathological factors involve chronic inflammation or cysts of the pancreas.

3. Treatments for ampullary carcinoma include surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Surgical resection is the main treatment, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy; commonly used chemotherapy drugs include gemcitabine and fluorouracil; radiotherapy is used for postoperative adjuvant treatment or for patients who cannot undergo surgery.

4. Treatments for pancreatic cancer also include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Surgical resection includes distal pancreatectomy or total pancreatectomy; chemotherapy drugs include gemcitabine and albumin-bound paclitaxel; and radiotherapy is used for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

5. Diet and lifestyle adjustments are helpful for the prevention and recovery of both types of cancer. It is recommended to increase the intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and reduce the intake of red meat and processed foods; maintain moderate exercise, such as 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week; quit smoking and limit alcohol, control weight, and have regular physical examinations.

Although ampullary cancer and pancreatic cancer are located in similar locations, their causes, symptoms and treatments are different. Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment are the key to improving survival rates.