We report herein the case of an 81-year-old woman in whom a mass in the gallbladder was revealed by an ultrasound examination conducted as part of a follow-up study for a silent gallstone. The mass showed evidence of invasion into the adjacent liver parenchyma. Under the tentative diagnosis of malignant neoplastic disease originating in the gallbladder, a cholecystectomy with partial hepatectomy was performed. Histological examination of the tumor confirmed a diagnosis of small-cell carcinoma of the gallbladder, which is considered to be a rare type of neoplasm.

Background. Primary pulmonary chondrosarcoma is a rare neoplasm. A 73‐year‐old Japanese man had chondrosarcoma in the right lung. The tumor was considered to be of pulmonary origin because of the absence of extrapulmonary primary lesions for 2 years after lung resection. Methods. The histologic sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, conventional special staining, and immunohistochemical staining. The authors discussed the differential diagnosis and growth pattern, in addition to the histopathologic findings in the tumor cells. In a review of the literature, the authors compared the characteristics between the major bronchus (MB) and lung types. Results. Histopathologically, the tumor cells showed atypical cartilaginous differentiation without osteoid formation, benign or malignant‐appearing epithelium, or sarcomatous components other than chondrosarcoma. The tumor showed expansive proliferation, invasion through the alveolar spaces, massive proliferation along the bronchial lumen, significant invasion into small vessels, and extrathoracic metastases. The review of the literature showed that the clinical period ending with surgical treatment was longer in the lung tumors than in the MB tumors. Conclusions. Although MB tumors were reported to be discovered early, the invasion to major arteries or trachea often led to inoperability; however, lung tumors were considered to be resectable until they grew very large, even though the clinical period from onset to surgical treatment was longer in this type. Recent advancements in diagnostic and surgical techniques are expected to promote early discovery and improve prognosis whether the tumor occurs in the MB or lung. Cancer 1993; 72:69–74.

A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe upper abdominal pain. Ultrasonography showed a well-defined hypoechoic mass with heterogeneity in the left lobe of the liver, and computed tomography demonstrated a low-density mass with enhanced peripheral areas. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass with iso- to low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (WI) and heterogeneous high and low signal intensity on T2 WI. The tumor was found to be hypovascular by angiography. During 5 months of observation, the tumor increased in size, which strongly suggested malignancy. A laparotomy was performed under the provisional diagnosis of a neoplasm other than hepatocellular carcinoma, revealing that the hepatic mass had invaded the gastric wall. Therefore, a left hepatic lobectomy with dissection of the lymph nodes and hemigastrectomy was carried out. Histologically, the tumor was found to be composed of a large amount of sarcomatous elements and a small amount of adenocarcinomatous elements, both of which were partly intermingled. Immunohistochemically, the sarcomatous element demonstrated the features of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Thus, a diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with MFH-like sarcomatous change was confirmed.

A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe upper abdominal pain. Ultrasonography showed a well-defined hypoechoic mass with heterogeneity in the left lobe of the liver, and computed tomography demonstrated a low-density mass with enhanced peripheral areas. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass with iso- to low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (WI) and heterogeneous high and low signal intensity on T2 WI. The tumor was found to be hypovascular by angiography. During 5 months of observation, the tumor increased in size, which strongly suggested malignancy. A laparotomy was performed under the provisional diagnosis of a neoplasm other than hepatocellular carcinoma, revealing that the hepatic mass had invaded the gastric wall. Therefore, a left hepatic lobectomy with dissection of the lymph nodes and hemigastrectomy was carried out. Histologically, the tumor was found to be composed of a large amount of sarcomatous elements and a small amount of adenocarcinomatous elements, both of which were partly intermingled. Immunohistochemically, the sarcomatous element demonstrated the features of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Thus, a diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with MFH-like sarcomatous change was confirmed.

A case of nonfunctioning islet cell tumor with hyperammonemia and hyperamylasemia is reported. A 67‐year‐old female was admitted in an unconsciousness state, with a large abdominal mass about 10×10 cm in size. Hyperammonemia and hyperamylasemia were evident. Blood sugar levels, electroencephalogram (EEG), and brain scan were normal. After admission, lactulose and gabexate mesilate were administered for the hyperammonemia and hyperamylasemia. Serum ammonia levels returned to the normal range within 2 weeks, but serum amylase levels failed to decrease. Results of the oral glucose tolerance test were normal. A contrast computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a tumor with a homogeneous enhancement pattern. Angiography demonstrated a hypervascular pancreatic tumor. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed on the basis of a preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic tumor with extrapancreatic growth. Histological examination showed nonfunctioning islet cell tumor, with evidence of vascular invasion of tumor cells. Production of pancreatic hormones was not noted. The patient promptly returned to normal consciousness, and no elevation of ammonia or amylase was observed other than an incidental elevation of the latter due to pseudocyst formation. The hyperamylasemia was obviously related to tumor growth, and the pancreatic tumor itself may have contributed to the hyperammonemia.