Undifferentiated Carcinoma of the Gallbladder: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Undifferentiated carcinoma (UC) is a rare malignant neoplasm in gallbladder (GB). We report here four cases of UC arising in the GB together with a review of the literature. Method: Between 1994 to 2015, patients with GB cancer who received curative resection were reviewed and we found three UC cases. Result: The first 68-year-old man presented with body weight loss, febril and chilly sensation. Imaging studies revealed an 4.2x2.4-cm fungating mass in the fundus of the GB. Multiple hepatic and para-arotic lymph node metastasis was detected at postoperative 2 months and the patient died at 4 months after surgery. In the second case, a 72-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and febrile sensation. On gross examination, a 15x10-cm tumor was originated from the gallbladder and directly invaded into liver, transverse colon, and omentum. Histological section revealed an UC and hepatic resection margin was involved by the tumor cell. Regional node metastasis was confirmed. Unfortunately, the patient diet at 50 day after surgery due to postoperative sepsis. The third case was a 65-year-old woman who presented with right upper quadrant abdomian pain. The patients was detected multiple hepatic and para-aortic lymph node metastasis at postoperative 2 months after surgery and was treated with systemic chemotherapy, but disease rapidly was progressed and the patient died at 6 months after surgery. Conclusion: Undifferentiated carcinoma of the gallbladder was a rare highly malignant neoplasms. It showed a large tumor pattern with involvement of adjacent organ and the prognosis was very poor.