What is Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder?

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder
Patient case MRI and FNA of liver lesion. (a) MRI of the abdomen showed a bulky gallbladder tumor measuring 5.6 cm with direct extension into the liver, innumerable hepatic and periportal nodal metastases which exerted mass effect on the cystic duct, and peripancreatic and right diaphragmatic nodal involvement. (b) Ultrasound-guided biopsy of a metastatic liver lesion shows small and fragile epithelioid cells with little cytoplasm and fine chromatin. Abundant apoptotic bodies and mitotic figures were seen consistent with small cell carcinoma. Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder: Case Report and Comprehensive Analysis of Published Cases. Carrera C, Kunk P, Rahma O - Journal of oncology (2015). Not Altered. CC.

Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is a malignant tumor of the gallbladder.

What is the Pathology of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder?

The pathology of small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is:

-Etiology: The cause of small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder isn’t clear, but there are some known risk factors which include smoking, alcohol use, porcelain gallbladder, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and obesity.

-Pathogenesis: The sequence of events that lead to small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is that it arises in the setting of chronic inflammation.  

-Morphology: The morphology associated with small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder shows a mass lesion with an enlarged lymph node at the hepatic hilum.

-Histology: The histology associated with small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder shows more as pure small round blue cells.

How does Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder Present?

Patients with small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder typically are female (66 %) present at the age range of 25–86 years (median age: 67 years). The symptoms, features, and clinical findings associated with small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder include abdominal symptoms.

How is Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder Diagnosed?

Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is diagnosed with biopsy.

How is Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder Treated?

Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is treated with chemoradiation and surgical resection.

What is the Prognosis of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder?

The prognosis of small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is poor, the median survival period is nine months.