Abstract
BackgroundPrimary carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is rare and comprises less than 1% of all carcinoid tumors. Preoperative diagnosis of carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is difficult. The imageology findings are similar to those in other gallbladder cancers.Case presentationA 46-year-old woman was hospitalized with a preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma, The patient was referred for surgical opinion and laparotomy was subsequently performed. A 4 × 5 cm mass was found within the gallbladder, located on the free surface of the body and fundus of the gallbladder. Neither metastases nor direct invasion to the liver was found. The entire mass and gallbladder were excised and intact. Histologically, the tumor consisted of small oval cells with round-to-oval neclei and tumor cells formed small nodular, trabeculare and acinar structures. The tumor showed moderate pleomorphism with scattered mitotic figures, but no definite evidence of vascular permeation, perineural invasion or lymphatic permeation was seen. The tumor cells invaded the mucosa extensively, and some penetrated the muscular layer but not through the serosa of the gallbladder into the liver. Immunohistochemical studies revealed strong positive reaction for chromogranin A and NSE. This lesion was proved to be a primary carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder. A brief review of literature, clinical feature, pathology and treatment of this rare disease was discussed.ConclusionPrimary carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is uncommon. The definite diagnosis is often made on histopathological results after surgery.
Highlights
Primary carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is rare and comprises less than 1% of all carcinoid tumors
For the most part they tend to be associated with the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system; primary carcinoid tumors of the gallbladder are rare and comprises less than 1% of all carcinoid tumors
The sex distribution of these lesions paralleled that of gallbladder carcinomas, with a marked female predominance that accounts for 75% of cases in the largest series to date [15]
Summary
Carcinoid tumors are thought to arise from embryonal neural crest cells and may occur anywhere that these cells are found. Case Presentation A 46-year-old woman was hospitalized with a 2-year history of dull pain in the right upper abdomen Her appetite was normal and she had no history of diarrhea, flushes or dyspnea. Abdominal ultrasound showed a 4.5 cm protruding tissue mass in the body and fundus of the gallbladder lumen (Fig. 1). This mass appeared to arise from the wall of the gallbladder. An intramural tumor 5 cm in diameter located in the free wall of the body and fundus of the gallbladder (Fig. 3). Immunohistochemical studies of paraffin sections revealed strong positivity for chromogranin A (Fig. 6) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) (Fig. 7) It was diagnosed as a classical carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder. No recurrent lesion was found using abdominal ultrasound examination and CT scan 12 months after cholecystectomy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
