A case of carcinoma in an adenoma of the duodenal minor papilla successfully treated with endoscopic mucosal resection

Background and study aims: Endoscopic papillectomy is currently used to treat noninvasive tumors of the papilla of Vater, but it is seldom reported for treatment of similar tumors of the minor papilla. This report describes the case of a 69-year-old female with a tumor located at the duodenal minor papilla. Findings of duodenoscopy, biopsy, and pancreatography indicated that her noninvasive tumor of the minor papilla was suitable for treatment with endoscopic resection. Glycerol-injected endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was performed, and the resected material histologically showed carcinoma in the adenoma, negative for neoplastic extension at the cut margin. No complications occurred during the treatment course, and no recurrence has been recognized for 80 months. Unlike the major papilla of Vater, the minor papilla can be lifted up by submucosal injection. Noninvasive epithelial tumors of the duodenal minor papilla without extension to the pancreatic duct can be successfully treated with EMR, as the technique is easy, it is minimally invasive, and it is curative.