Poorly differentiated neuroendocrinecarcinoma of the gallbladder

Abstract

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder is an aggressive and extremely rare type of neuroendocrine tumor. The clinical presentations in most cases are nonspecific, resulting in patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. Herein, we report our experience with the case of a 63-year-old woman with no comorbidities who underwent radical resection for a diagnosed gallbladder mass. Abdominal computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography indicated intraluminal masses in the gallbladder with liver invasion. Histologically, the mass was composed of solid sheets of poorly differentiated carcinoma cells with hyperchromatic nuclei; a high Ki-67 index of approximately 80%. The cells were positive for chromogranin A and synaptophysin, and small-cell-type neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed. Postoperatively, she underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with four cycles of cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy and was disease-free 16 months after surgical treatment with normal hormone-specific markers.