An ampullectomy is a procedure that is used to treat cancers of the hepatopancreatic duct (ampullary adenomas), small neuroendocrine tumors that develop in the ampulla of Vater and certain noncancerous conditions. Any visible tumors are removed during an ampullectomy, but the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues are typically left untouched. Ampullectomy procedures are normally reserved for small, early-stage cancers that have not spread beyond the site of origin.