Successful management of a rare case of gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma with tumor thrombi

AbstractA gallbladder neuroendocrine neoplasm (GB ‑NEN) is a bizarre heterogeneous neoplasm arising from neuroendocrine cells, which are present in minimal amounts on the GB mucosa either due to conversion of undifferentiated stem cells, chronic inflammation and resulting in pathological metaplasia or switching of GB adenocarcinoma to neuroendocr ine one. Among all the GB malignancies, GB-NEN accounts for approximately 2.1%. A 41-year-old lady presented with right upper abdomen pain and distension for 2 weeks. Contrast CT showed heterogeneously enhancing wall thickening involving fundus-body of the GB with large exophytic component involvin g segments IV/V of liver, peripheral enhancement and central low attenuating necrotic areas. Middle hepatic and left branch of portal vein was filled with enhancing lesion, tumor thrombi. She underwent left trisectionectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperative biopsy reported as poorly d ifferentiated unifocal small cell GB-neuroendocrine carcinomas (GB-NEC). Resected margins were free of tumor with periportal lymph nodes negative for tumor. Follow-up PET–CT after six months of treatment completion shows no tumor recurrence or metastases. She has completed 12 months following the surgery and is asymptomatic. As the occurrence of GB-NEC is rare, there are little data regarding etiology, pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of it. Even though metastasis is early and most frequent to lymph nodes, liver, lung and peritoneum,...
Source: International Cancer Conference Journal - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research