Laser ablation of ampullary carcinoma

Background and Study Aims: The aim of this study was to assess whether the use of laser ablation could palliate or potentially cure ampullary carcinom a, Patients and Methods: This study involved patients with confirmed ampullary carcinomas who were deemed fit for repeated endoscopic treatment but who w ere unfit for more radical treatment, and included six patients in Oxford a nd six in Gloucester, Repeated laser therapy was used after endoscopic sten ting, following investigation as described. Results: Good periods of survival were seen with good palliation and no com plications of treatment. The longest survival was 36 months (range 4-36, me dian 21), Duodenal obstruction was successfully relieved in one patient. Conclusion: The treatment shows promise in selected patients, but conclusio ns are limited by the small numbers and lack of controls in this study.