Ampullary Cancer: Actress Karen Black Dies

Former celebrity and actress Karen Black has died from ampullary cancer on Thursday after a long battle with the disease. She was 74, according to The Associated Press.

Her husband, Stephen Eckelberry, said her death was due to complications from the cancer.

According to NewsMax, Karen Black was diagnosed with ampullary cancer back in November 2010 in which doctors removed a third of her pancreas. She was even declared cancer free in 2011, but in March of this year, her symptoms returned.

This cancer arises from the Ampulla Vater, which is a nipple like projection into the duodenum, or first part of the intestine and pancreatic and bile ducts. All of the pancreatic and biliary secretions enter through the duodenum and the Ampulla Vater.

Blockage of this area by tumors can lead to obstruction of drainage of the pancreatic and biliary secretions into the intestine. It can also cause a drainage of bile into the duodenum and lead to the development of jaundice.

Patients typically with this type of cancer present symptoms relating to obstructive jaundice.

Surgical treatments for ampullary cancer involve a pylorus presenting Whipple operation where tumors  that have been diagnosed can possibly be removed with any invasion into the adjacent pancreas. The five-year survival rate can be as high as 90 percent, according to various reports.

Laparoscopic surgery is also an option for some, and utilizes any minimally invasive techniques that are associated with much more rapid recovery, also ridding the need for pain medication during the postoperative period.

Karen Black is survived by Eckelberry, a son and a daughter. She was married four times.