The authors discuss tumours of the ampulla of Vater which account for 5% of all tumours of the gastrointesti- nal tract and for 20% of tumours of the subhepatic region. They deserve attention inparticular because they form despite their rare incidence 37% of resectable tumours of the subhepatic region. Subsequently the authors present their own experience with tumours of the papilla of Vater, i. e. experience they assembled between January 1998 and May 2000. During this period in their department a total of ERCP were performed and a total of 21 ampullomas were detected. In the discussion they give a brief account on the classification, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of these tumours. Special attention is devoted to endoscopic ampullectomy which is a relatively new method and still somewhat controversial as there is not a sufficient number of controlled studies on larger groups of patients.

        Key words: ampulloma, endosonographic examination, ERCP, endoscopic ampullectomy, APC coagulation, bil- liary stent, hemipancreatoduodenectomy