Adenoma of the papilla and ampulla - premalignant lesions?

Ampullary adenomas arising in the papilla or the ampulla Vateri, are rare, benign, neoplastic lesions. No specific aetiological factors, such as diet, chemical or environmental causes, have been identified vet. An established risk factor which is accompanied by the development of adenoma is the pres ence of genetically inherited polyposis syndromes, e.g. familial adenomatos is coli (FAP). Adenomas assume tubular, tubulovillous, or villous architect ure and are not different from adenomas arising elsewhere in the gastrointe stinal tract. The full neoplastic spectrum, ranging from mild to high grade dysplasia, up to invasive carcinoma, resembles the adenoma-carcinoma seque nce of the large bowels.