What Are The Symptoms Of Ampullary Cancer?

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Some ampullary cancer patients may experience gastrointestinal bleeding leading to iron deficiency and other life-threatening problems. The bleeding that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract due to ampullary cancer can happen because of several factors. Some types of malignant tumors have a higher chance of ulcerating then other types do. Ulceration occurs when there is a break in the surface of an organ that causes the surface cells to die and fall off. Ulceration may occur in an ampullary tumor and cause persistent gastrointestinal bleeding. Another mechanism that may cause excessive bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of ampullary cancer is the metastasis of the tumor into the small intestine. When cancerous cells invade the tissues lining the small intestine, its protective mucosal barrier becomes compromised. This barrier protects against intestinal perforation and corrosion from digestive juices. Corrosion or proliferation of intestinal tissues caused by malignant cells can manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding in individuals with ampullary cancer.