An Unusual Case of Noninvasive Adenocarcinoma Arising in a Localized Adenomyoma of the Gallbladder and Review of Literature

Abstract

Adenomyoma or adenomyomatosis (ADM) of the gallbladder generally carries little or no risk of malignant transformation. Rare cases of such malignant transformation are described in the literature only in segmental type of ADM and not in localized adenomyoma. We report a case of a 58-year-old asymptomatic woman found to have an incidental 3.3 × 3.2 × 2.3 cm well-circumscribed exophytic mass on surveillance ultrasound, originating from the fundus of the gallbladder and abutting the liver capsule. The patient underwent an open cholecystectomy with resection of the mass and underlying segment of the liver. The mass was discrete and well-circumscribed with a peripheral pseudocapsule. Histologically, it showed features typical of a benign adenomyoma with variably sized distended microcysts within fibromuscular stroma. Within the lesion, however, multiple small foci amounting to approximately 5% of the total lesion showed high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma in situ. Apart from cytological distinctiveness, these foci were also selectively highlighted by positive immunostaining for p53 and higher Ki-67 reactivity. Away from this lesion, the gallbladder showed cholelithiasis, mild cholecystitis, and no additional adenomyoma. There was no invasion into the gallbladder mucosa or adjacent liver. This case is highly unusual since transformation to carcinoma is not previously described in a localized or discrete adenomyoma. In the short available follow-up (4 months to date), there is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. The long-term prognosis is expected to be favorable due to lack of invasion and complete excision, even if there is no documented literature regarding its course.

A Case of Adenomyomatous Hyperplasia of the Distal Common Bile Duct Mimicking Malignant Stricture

“…7 At this time, adenomyomatous hyperplasia is not considered to be pre-cancerous nor does the condition increase the probability of cancer. 8 There is no conclusive evidence that the presence of adenomyomatosis increases the risk of gallbladder cancer. 7,9 When the lesion has been definitively diagnosed as adenomyomatous hyperplasia, endoscopic procedures such as drainage with plastic catheter or local resection should be performed.…”

How Can We Manage Gallbladder Lesions by Transabdominal Ultrasound?

“…Recently, several GBCs concomitant with fundal type ADM have been reported [ 7 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ] ( Figure 8 ). These GBCs showed well-circumscribed papillary growth just above the surface mucosa of ADM or inside RAS.…”

Adenocarcinoma arising in adenomyoma of small intestine

“…Only a few cases of adenocarcinoma arising in adenomyoma in the other primary organs have been reported, such as the gallbladder. 4 Some sporadic case reports and studies suggest that long-standing biliary stasis and resultant mucosal changes in the fundal compartment may explain the high prevalence of gallbladder cancer. 5 In our case, the obstruction caused by the adenomyoma in the intestine leads to excessive intraintestinal pressure and changes in the epithelium of its mucosa, which ultimately transformed into malignancy.…”